Militants stormed the venue of a municipal council meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore on Monday, killing a BJP councillor and a security guard and injuring another councillor in indiscriminate firing.
The attack has led to major embarrassment for the security establishment after militants not only inflicted casualties but managed to escape unharmed. The attack triggered panic among hundreds of students and parents as the council complex is close to a school. All the students were safe.
BJP state chief Ravinder Raina claimed the party’s state secretary and Block Development Council chairperson Dr Farida Khan was critically injured in the attack. But Khan told The Telegraph she escaped unharmed.
A police spokesman said councillor Reyaz Ahmad and special police officer Shafqat Nazir were killed in the attack. Injured councillor Shams-ud-din Peer was shifted to Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital.
CRPF constable Jagannath Ray, who was injured in Srinagar’s Lawaypora attack on March 25, succumbed to his wounds on Monday. A CRPF sub-inspector and a driver had died on March 25.
