J&K BJP Leader, Brother, Father Killed; 7 Cops Held for Negligence

Seven policemen have been arrested for alleged negligence in protecting the BJP leader and his family members.

Former Bandipora Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Wasim Bari, his father, and brother were killed on Wednesday, 8 July, after terrorists opened fire at them, ANI reported, quoting J&K DGP Dilbag Singh.

“The family had a component of eight security people but unfortunately, none of them was kept along at the time of incident,” Singh was quoted by ANI as saying.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh tweeted saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the killing over the phone and extended condolences to Wasim’s family.

Over the telephone, PM @narendramodi enquired about the gruesome killing of Wasim Bari. He also extended condolences to the family of Wasim.

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 8, 2020

The incident reportedly took place outside his shop at around 9 pm on Wednesday.

#Terrorists fired upon BJP worker Wasim Bari at #Bandipora. During indiscrimnate firing Wasim Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad and his brother Umer Bashir got injured and shifted to hospital but unfortunately all the three #succumbed to their injuries. @JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) July 8, 2020

A medical officer was quoted by NDTV as saying that the three had bullet injuries in the head. “All three were rushed to the hospital where doctors declared them brought dead,” the officer said.

According to news agency PTI, seven policemen have been arrested for alleged negligence in protecting Bari, and his brother, and father.

‘Huge Loss for the Party’

Meanwhile, BJP President JP Nadda took to Twitter, saying the incident is a “huge loss for the party”. “I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain,” he added.

We lost Sheikh Waseem Bari,his father & brother in Bandipora, J&K today in a cowardly attack on them.This is a huge loss for the party. My deepest condolences are with the family.The entire Party stands with the bereaved family. I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain.

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 8, 2020

Party leader Ram Madhav also took to Twitter to express shock and offered condolences to the family.

Shocked and saddened by d killing of young BJP leader Wasim Bari and his brother by terrorists in Bandipora. Bari’s father who is also a senior leader was injured. This despite 8 security commandos. Condolences to d family. pic.twitter.com/hAKnOudaxj

— Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) July 8, 2020

National Conference’s Omar Abdullah and the People’s Democratic Party also expressed condolences to the families after the incident.

Sorry to hear about the murderous terror attack on the BJP functionaries & their father in Bandipore earlier this evening. I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 8, 2020

We unequivocally condemn such brutal killings. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family.

— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) July 8, 2020