Killing of 3 young BJP workers, Two Qazigund families lose lone son

Raouf Dar
Srinagar Oct 30 (KINS): The killing of three BJP workers has sent shock waves across Kashmir and created a fear among political workers and panchayat representatives.
On Thursday evening, three young BJP workers were shot dead by suspected militants in Y K Pora area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The trio were returning to their home in one car when gunmen hiding in Y K Pora fired indiscriminately at around 8:15 pm. They were rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries before their arrival.
The slain BJP workers were identified as Fida Hussain Itoo, Umer Rashid, both residents of Y K Pora Qazigund and Umer Hanan of Sopat area of Qazigund.
Their killings have created a fresh fear among political workers. The slain youth were laid to rest in their graveyards amid hundreds of relatives, friends and neighbours mourning their loss.
Sister of Umar Rashid is in shock since she heard of her brother’s death. “Please give us justice. We need nothing but only justice for my brother. It is the responsibility of the media to show the truth. It is your responsibility to ensure our justice,” she told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) amid mourners consoling her.
Omar is survived by his parents and two sisters. Similarly, Fida too was the lone son of his parents.
One of Fida’s relative said that bloodshed should be stopped in Kashmir. “How many families will be devastated like this? We want justice for this family,” he said.
On Friday several BJP leaders including party J&K President Ravendra Raina, senior leader Sofi Yusuf visited the bereaved families.
“These young boys sacrificed their lives for the nation which will be remembered for ever. They were true nationalist and always raised national flag,” Raina said as per news agency KINS.
 “Pakistan is a threat to world peace and humanity and must be taught a lesson,” he said.
National Conference president and Member Parliament Farooq Abdullah said such gruesome killings have no place in the civilized world. “Violence in all forms is condemnable. Our instrument should be dialogue not violence. Sanctity of life should be respected at all levels far,” he said.
His son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah  said he unequivocally condemned the targeted killings of three BJP workers in a terror attack.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said she was saddened to hear about the killing of three BJP workers in Kulgam. “Condolences to their families. At the end of the day, its people of J&K who pay with their lives because of GOI’s ill thought out policies,” she said, in her Tweet.
J&K Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir while condemning the attack said he has no words to express his grief into killing of three workers.
People Conference chairman Sajjad Lone also condemned the attack. “Yet another killing. Condemn this heinous violence.  Hope we get out of this vicious cycle of violence. Hope peace prevails. Hope sanity prevails. Violence has to be condemned in all its forms,” he added. (KINS)