Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama’s Tral Rakesh Pandita was killed in the firing by three terrorists in Tral Payeen here on Wednesday.
The attack on the Municipal Councillor took place when he was not accompanied by his two Personal Security Officers (PSOs).
“Late in the evening today (Wednesday), three unidentified terrorists fired upon Municipal Councillor of Tral Rakesh Pandita. He was a resident of Tral Bala who was visiting his friend at Tral Payeen. Somnath Pandita succumbed to injuries whereas daughter of his friend is seriously wounded,” Inspector-General, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told ANI.
“Pertinently, the said Councillor was residing in secure accommodation in Srinagar and was provided with two PSOs. The Councillor was not accompanied by the PSOs during his visit to Tral,” Kumar added.
Pakistani terror group Lashkar has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kashmiri Pandit Rakesh Pandita in Tral.
Police and security forces have cordoned the area and a massive search operation has been launched to nab the assailants.
Altaf Thakur, BJP Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson, strongly condemned the killing of Rakesh Pandita.
Thakur termed the attack as barbaric stating that such attacks will not stop BJP leaders from serving the people.
He further said that attacking unarmed people is no bravery and that police must track down the culprits and punish them.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tral terror attack
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday condemed the killing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama’s Tral Rakesh Pandita, terming the terror attack as “an inhuman act.”
“Deeply shocked by the fatal terror attack on Municipal Councillor #Tral, #Pulwama, Rakesh Pandit. An extremely dastardly and inhuman act by those who do not want grassroot democracy to gain ground in #Kashmir Valley. My deep condolences to the family,” Singh tweeted.
PDP chief condemns attack on BJP leader in Tral
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday condemned the kiiling of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama’s Tral Rakesh Pandita and said these ‘senseless acts of violence’ have brought only misery to the Union Territory.
“Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace,” Mufti tweeted.
Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K. My condolences to the family & may his soul rest in peace.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 2, 2021
J-K BJP chief on BJP leader in Tral
Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina condemned the death of BJP leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama’s Tral Rakesh Pandita and said the ‘martyrdom’ of Pandita will not go in vain.
Raina, in a video message, said, “In cowardice acts of terrorism, the Pakistani terrorist once again bled the Kashmir valley. The dynamic and vibrant BJP worker Rakesh Pandita is targeted in the nighttime at the Tral area. The Pakistanis have once again created a bloodbath in the Kashmir valley.” “Rakesh Pandita Ji was a dedicated and committed BJP worker who always dared the Pakistanis in Kashmir Valley. But the traitors, the coward Pakistanis in the dark night attacked him. In this attack, he attends the martyrdom. The martyrdom of Rakesh Pandita will not go in vain,” the Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief said.
Raina further said, “The terrorists causing a bloodbath in Kashmir Valley will be eliminated. It is a murder of humanity and Kashmiriyat.”
Shame on Pakistan,
Coward Pakistani Terrorists once again bleeded the Kashmir by attacking Sh.Rakesh Pandit G at Tral area of Kashmir in which he attained martyrdom, Rakesh Pandit was a brave son of Bharat Mata, his martyrdom will not go invain, all involved will be naturalized. pic.twitter.com/Lwi8816c2D— Ravinder Raina?? (@ImRavinderRaina) June 2, 2021
