BJP J&K unit condoles party's worker killing by 'militants'

The BJP's state unit condoled today the brutal killing of party worker Shabir Ahmad Bhat by suspected militants in Pulwama, saying his sacrifice will not go in vain.

BJP national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna led the party in condoling Bhat's killing and said such "ruthless and barbaric acts" would "lead to the end of militancy".

Khanna, who is also the incharge of the party in the state, went to Bhat's residence in Pulwama along with several party leaders to express their "grief" and solidarity with Bhat's family.

The other leaders, who accompanied Khanna to Pulwama, included state BJP's general secretary Yudhvir Sethi and vice-president and MLC Sofi Yousuf.

The bullet-riddled body of Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said.

Bhat was abducted by suspected terrorists last night, he said.

Condemning Bhat's killing, Sethi termed it as a cowardly act and vowed to "act tough with terrorism" and avenge the killing.

He said those involved in his killing would be nabbed soon and brought to justice.

Describing Bhat as a "martyr", MLC Yousuf rued that the militants resorted to the "ghastly act" on the pious occasion of Bakrid, bringing grief to his family and "all of us in the party".

The party state unit also organised a condolence meet here at its headquarters and paid glowing tributes to the slain party man.

BJP state president Ravinder Raina (MLA) said Bhat's killers "have no religion" and respect for the festival of Eid-ul-Azha, which "spreads love and peace not hatred."