J&K BJP functionary injured, nephew killed in grenade attack in Rajouri | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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J&K BJP functionary injured, nephew killed in grenade attack in Rajouri

By, Hindustan Times, Jammu
Aug 14, 2021 06:24 AM IST

The attack is the latest in a series of attacks on politicians, especially belonging to the BJP, in J&K. It came four days after a village head affiliated to the BJP and his wife were killed in Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley.

A two-year-old boy was killed, and six others were injured after terrorists threw a grenade at the residence of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary, Jasbir Singh, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s Rajouri district late on Thursday, police said.

Security personnel check BJP leader Jasbir Singh's house, in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on August 12. (PTI)
Security personnel check BJP leader Jasbir Singh's house, in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on August 12. (PTI)

A police officer said Singh (36), his parents and three other relatives sustained injuries in the attack, while his nephew succumbed during the treatment at a government hospital.

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“It was a terrorist attack. We have initiated investigations under Section 302 IPC, 120-B, 3/4 Explosives Act and 13 UAPA,” said Rajouri SHO, Sameer Jalani.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on politicians, especially belonging to the BJP, in J&K. On August 9, a village head affiliated with the BJP and his wife were killed by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Anantnag.

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Lieutenant governor, Manoj Sinha, condemned the killing of the minor boy at Khandli bridge in Rajouri.

“Strongly condemn the cowardly attack in the house of a political leader in Rajouri in which a 2-year old child was killed & others were injured. My deepest condolences to family & prayers for early recovery of injured. Perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice soon,” Sinha said in a Twitter post.

Cutting across party lines, leaders of different political parties have strongly condemned the attack.

BJP’s J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina, who met the injured at a Rajouri hospital, has appealed to the police to immediately arrest those responsible. “We strongly condemn the attack and appeal to Jammu and Kashmir Police to immediately arrest the terrorists responsible for the heinous and cowardly attack. They have claimed the life of an innocent child and injured six others. They will have to pay the price,” he said.

BJP national president JP Nadda also “strongly” condemned the attack and appealed to the local administration to take immediate action.

“Grenade attack on BJP Leader Jasbir Singh’s house in Khandli area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri. I strongly condemn the terrorist attack and urge local administration to take immediate action on it. The entire BJP Stands with Jasbir Singh and other injured people,” Nadda said in a Twitter post.

The J&K unit of the Congress has demanded enhanced security measures. “We demand the security be further beefed up in the entire district in view of the reports of fresh attempts of infiltration from across the border,” said J&K Congress’ chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma .

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti extended her sympathies to the victims. “Condemn the grenade attack in Rajouri in which a four year old child was killed & several others injured. My sympathies with their loved ones,” Mufti said in a Twitter post.

Meanwhile, Rajouri town observed a complete shutdown to protest the attack. The situation briefly turned tense after a clash broke out when an angry mob burnt tyres and shouted slogans, blaming the police and the civil administration for the attack.

“Both the communities observed a complete shutdown in protest against the cowardly attack on the house of the BJP leader,” said a local resident who did not wish to be named.

Rajouri SHO Jalani said the shutdown was peaceful and there were no reports of any violence or clashes between the protestors and the police.

(With agency inputs)

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    A principal correspondent, Ravi Krishnan Khajuria is the bureau chief at Jammu. He covers politics, defence, crime, health and civic issues for Jammu city.

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