A J&K Apni Party leader was shot dead by militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday.
A police spokesman said at about 6.30 pm Kulgam Police received information about a militant incident at Devsar area where militants had fired upon an individual. Senior Police officers reached the spot.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that militants had fired upon one person identified as Ghulam Hassan Lone son of Mohammad Kamal Lone resident of Town Devsar near his house,” he said.
He said Lone received critical gunshot injuries and was shifted to nearby hospital, where he was declared as brought dead.
The spokesman said neither the police records nor the activities of deceased indicated him to be a political worker.
“Besides, as on date no political party had indicated or intimated about his political affiliation. However, post incident, Apni Party has claimed that the deceased was their political worker,” he said.
The spokesman said police has registered a case and taken up investigation.
“The officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime. Area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killing of Apni Party (JKAP) leader.
“Anguished to hear about the terror attack on political leader Shri Ghulam Hassan Lone at Devsar, Kulgam. I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. Perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice very soon. My prayers & thoughts with bereaved family in this time of grief,” Sinha tweeted.
Meanwhile, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone and CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also condemned the killing of the JKAP leader.