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The Shopian police on Friday identified the four accused behind the murder of BJP Youth President Gowher Bhat, two of whom belong to Hizbul, while two others pledge allegiance to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The police has registered a case under sections 302, 34 RPC, and 16 ULA(P) Act, and an investigation is underway.
Bhat was killed by militants in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday, police said.
A police official said the body of Gowhar Hussain Bhat (30) was recovered from an orchard in Kiloora and he was killed by militants.
Bhat's throat was found slit. He was a resident of Bongam area in Shopian. The police have registered a case and investigations are on, the official said.
BJP President Amit Shah condoled Bhat’s death in a series of tweets.
The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir wing on Friday held anti-Pakistan protests and set afire the Pakistani national flag in Rajouri district to protest the killing a youth leader from the party, Gowhar Hussain Bhat, by militants.
Led by BJP MLA Ravinder Raina, the protesters held the marches in the border towns of Sunderbani and Noushera, and staged demonstrations amid the chanting of anti-Pakistan and anti-militants slogans. They also burnt the national flag of Pakistan in both the places.
Encounter Breaks Out in Pulwama
Meanwhile, an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing two army soldiers and a terrorist, police said.
One of the jawans was injured in the course of the encounter, later succumbing to his injuries at the Army Hospital. The terrorist was killed during the operation, police ascertained after his body was recovered.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Samboora village of Pampore area, following information about the presence of the militants there, an official said.
As the security forces were conducting the searches, militants opened fire, he said, adding that a gunbattle ensued as the forces retaliated.
Massive protests were launched in Pulwama, following the terrorist’s death, with the protesting mob even pelting stones at the security forces.
BSF Jawan Killed in Pak Firing in Samba, 3 Pak Posts
In a separate instance of ceasefire violation, a BSF jawan was killed when Pakistan Rangers fired at a patrol party along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, drawing heavy retaliation from the Indian force in which three posts were damaged and two rangers injured.
"Pak Rangers fired at the BSF patrol in Samba sector around 0930 hours today," a senior BSF officer told PTI.
He said that due to the unprovoked firing, constable Tapan Mondal sustained serious injury and later died.
"The BSF carried out calibrated retributive action against Rangers in Samba sector and caused serious damage to 2-3 Pak posts and grievous injuries to two Pak Rangers," he said, adding Pak Rangers violated ceasefire.
"The retaliatory action continued till 1400 hours," the officer added.
Militants Attack Security Vehicle, Five CRPF Personnel Injured
In another incident, at least five CRPF personnel were injured on Thursday in a militant attack on the vehicle of security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Militants opened fire on the vehicle of the 96 Battalion CRPF at Lazibal in Anantnag district at 8:30 am, a police official said.
He said three CRPF jawans received bullet injuries while two others were injured after getting hit by broken glass panes of the vehicle.
The injured personnel have been admitted to a hospital, he said, adding an operation has been launched to track down the assailants.
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