Kashmir: PDP worker shot at by militants dies

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker, who was shot at by unknown militants Sunday night in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, died at a hospital in Srinagar on Monday.

65-year-old Mohammad Jamal was shot at by masked militants at his home in Zungalpora village of the district, 72 km from here, following which he was shifted to SKIMS Soura in critical condition.

A doctor at the facility confirmed his death today morning.

There has been rise on attacks on political workers in Kashmir, especially in southern parts of the Valley, since 2017. Earlier this month militants killed BJP leader Gul Mohammad Mir in neighbouring Anantnag district, raising serious questions of deliberate security lapses by his family as well as politicians in the state.

Sources said due to fear of attacks by the militants, security wing of the police department has received hundreds of applications from the politicians of various political parties seeking security cover and bulletproof escort vehicles.

“Many have demanded replacement of old escort vehicles with the new bulletproof vehicles the police department has recently procured,” they said.

A senior police officer said they can’t give provide security to each and everybody who is in politics. “We will conduct a proper security audit and asses the threat perception of politicians and accordingly work out a protection plan,” he said, wishing anonymity.