PDP Leader Ghulam Nabi Patel Shot Dead, 2 Policemen Injured in J&K

Ghulam Nabi Patel, PDP leader and resident of Shadimarg area, succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Ghulam Nabi Patel was killed, and two policemen were injured, in a militant attack in Pulwama district on Wednesday, 25 April, an official told PTI.

The militants fled with their service rifles, according to ANI.

Patel, a resident of Shadimarg area, succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital.

The other two injured – both policemen – were being treated at a hospital and their condition was stated to be stable, he said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and a hunt has been launched to nab the attackers, the official said.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack.

Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, G. N. Patel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 25, 2018

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his condolences.

What terrible news to start the day with here. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased & prayers for the injured. Allah Jannat naseeb karay. https://t.co/IP1A5Z25yY

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 25, 2018

Patel, formerly a Congress leader, later joined the PDP. Abdullah slammed both the parties for allegedly ‘disowning’ him as their leader.

How tragic that Patel Sahib, a political worker assassinated by militants in Kashmir is being disowned by both the PDP & Congress. If neither party is willing to own him as one of their own let’s just call him a NC worker so his death is not in vain.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 25, 2018

Ghulam Nabi Patel is being denied the dignity of having been assassinated for belonging to a political party just so the PDP & Congress can lie to their workers to claim they aren’t at risk from militant bullets.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 25, 2018

(More details are awaited)

(With inputs from PTI)

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