Srinagar: Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah has said that the “renewed trend of targeting mainstream politicians by militant outfits is very worrying”.
Omar said this while reacting to the killing of Apni Party worker, Ghulam Hassan Lone by militants in Devsar area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday.
Lone was shot dead by the militants outside his residence last evening.
“Very sorry to hear about the assassination of Ghulam Hassan Lone in Devsar area of South Kashmir. This renewed trend of targeting mainstream politicians by militant outfits is very worrying & I condemn the same in the strongest possible terms. May Allah grant the departed Jannat,” Omar tweeted after the killing.
NC president and Member Parliament Farooq Abdullah also condemned the killing of Apni Party leader.
Terming the incident as barbaric and gruesome, senior Abdullah said such acts of violence will hinder the return of peace to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Such despicable and horrendous acts of violence only leave behind a trail of lifelong miseries. The trend of political assassinations that has set in is very worrying and of great concern,” he said.
Recalling his repeated expression of concern and detestation against such incidents, he said the aloof and hand-off approach of the administration has imperiled the security of mainstream leaders.
In a separate statement, NC spokesperson said that the party “unreservedly condemns the barbaric killing” of the Apni Party leader.
“Such cowardly acts deserve condemnation in the strongest possible terms. Our thoughts are with his family & colleagues in this time of grief,” the party spokesperson said.
Lone’s is the fourth killing in Kashmir Valley by militants in less than two weeks.
On August 09, BJP Sarpanch from Kulgam, Ghulam Rasool Dar and his wife, Jawahira Banu were shot dead in their rented accommodation in neighbouring Anantnag district.
On Tuesday, the party’s in-charge for Homeshalibugh constituency was also shot dead by militants outside his residence.
