70 years old Panch and relative of NC MLC shot dead in Kulgam for voting first

70 years old Panch and relative of NC MLC shot dead in Kulgam for voting first

Saahil Suhail

Anantnag, May 8: A 70 years old Panch affiliated with National conference and close relative Member legislative Council (MLC)  was gunned down in Wanpoh area of Kulgam district by suspected militants on Thursday evening for voting first and reposing faith in Indian vibrant democratic system.

Official sources said that suspected militants fired upon on Panch affiliated with ruling National conference from point black range on in Wanpoh area of Kulgam district and left him injured. However the injured succumbed to his injuries on way to Srinagar near Awantipora.   

They said that at least two suspected militants barged inside the shop of Gul Mohammad Bhat (70) son of Abdul Ganie Bhat at main Bazar Wanpoo at around 06:15 pm and shot him from point blank range inside his shop.  Bhat received two his chest and due to the gravity of the injury was shifted to Srinagar from District Hospital Anantnag by the doctors who attended him.

Bhat breathed his lost near Awantipora, a police official confirmed to Early Times.

Deceased Panchayat representative was a close relative of National Conference MLC, Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi) locals told here. They said that he was brave enough and was openly confronting the anti-election campaigners in the area.

“He became the target because he was the first person of the village who came out on the day of polling and exercised his democratic right.” Locals said adding besides it he encouraged others for the same.

The killing comes a day after five phased Parliamentary election came to an end in Kashmir Valley.

Prior to election, at-least three sarpanches and a numerdar (village head) were killed in south Kashmir last month.

Meanwhile, Army, Special Operation Group of Police and CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the hunt to nab the suspected militants.