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Friday June 28, 2024

BJP leader killed in IIOJ&K

Police named the victim as Aijaz Ahmad, a local leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

By AFP
May 20, 2024
Slain BJP leader Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh seen in this undated photo.— X@always1stnations/File
Slain BJP leader Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh seen in this undated photo.— X@always1stnations/File

NEW DELHI: Suspected fighters shot dead an activist from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi´s party in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu an Kashmir (IIJ&K), local authorities said Sunday after the latest violent attack in the disputed region.

Police named the victim as Aijaz Ahmad, a local leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was fired upon in Shopian district on Saturday evening, days after the region began voting in India´s six-week national elections.

The BJP´s local office in the occupied territory confirmed Sunday that Ahmad had died and announced plans to stage a protest against the attack. Two Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan territory were also wounded in a separate attack by suspected fighters in nearby Anantnag on the same day, police said, adding that both had been hospitalised. Security forces had cordoned off the surrounding area to find those responsible for separate incidents, police said.