Hindustan Times (Patiala)

PDP leader shot dead by militants in Valley

- Abhishek Saha and Toufiq Rashid letters@hindustant­imes.com

Abdul Gani Dar was travelling in a car when motorcyleb­orne militants opened fire on him and escaped.

ABDUL GANI DAR WAS TRAVELLING IN A CAR WHEN MILITANTS OPENED FIRE ON HIM AND ESCAPED

Militants shot dead Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Gani Dar on Monday amid mounting tension and clashes between civilians and security forces in Kashmir.

Pulwama superinten­dent of police Rayees Mohammad Bhat told HT that Dar — Pulwama unit president of the state’s ruling party — was travelling in a car when motorcyle-borne militants opened fire on him and escaped.

The critically injured leader was shifted to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital and died on the way.

Medical superinten­dent of SMHS hospital, Dr Nazir Chowdary, said: “The person was brought dead. He is no more.”

He was hit with multiple bullets in his chest, a source said.

The attack came just hours after Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pressed for a dialogue with separatist­s in the state.

Mehbooba, who is under pressure in the face of fresh street protests in Kashmir, briefed Modi on the prevailing situation and the way forward. Earlier this month, advocate Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan, who was associated with National Conference, was shot dead in Shopian district.

Moreover, last week, a grainy short video had emerged, showing Wali Mohammed Bhat, a supporter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), apologisin­g profusely and shouting anti-India slogans at gunpoint.

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