BJP J&K secretary Anil Parhar and his brother Ajit shot dead in Jammu's Kishtwar district

Nov 1 (AZINS) Ahead of the Panchayat polls, suspected militants assassinated BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajit Parihar in the communally sensitive Kishtwar district of Jammu on Thursday evening.

Curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar town after tensions rose following the killing of two brothers.

Police sources said Anil Parihar, state secretary and his brother Ajit Parihar were returning home after closing their book shop when suspected militants shot them from point blank range at Tapal Moholla in the Kishtwar district of Jammu.

“In view of prevailing circumstances violence may erupt and thus result into law and order problems endangering life and property of the citizens of Kishtwar town. To save life and property and maintain law and order it is expedient to take precautionary measures. Therefore I in exercise of powers under section 144 CRPC hereby impose curfew in the Kishtwar town and adjacent areas”, said Angrez Singh Rana, district magistrate, Kishtwar.

Strongly condemning the killings, BJP said they will not be cowed by these cowardly acts and will continue to campaign in the Panchayat polls.

“He was actively doing campaigning for Panchayat polls. He actively campaigned for Municipal polls. He was our senior leader in Kishtwar. This shows militants are on the run because of the pressure of security forces. State administration should have raised the security grid because militants on run will try to hit people”, Sunil Sethi, chief spokesman of J&K state BJP, told DNA.

MoS Jitendra Singh also wrote: “Deeply shocked by the killing of a dear Party colleague and BJP J&K State Secretary Anil Parihar and his brother. No words to express the grief. Rushing to Kishtwar at the earliest... that is the only thought on mind.

BJP demanded immediate arrest of the killers saying given the popularity of party some people are frustrated. “Police should nab the people behind the dastardly act. Growing popularity of BJP across J&K has frustrated many people”, said Altaf Thakur, BJP state spokesman.

Opposition leaders also strongly condemned the assassination of BJP leader and his brother.  “Very sad news. My condolences to Anil and Ajit Parihar’s family and colleagues. May their souls rest in peace”, tweeted Omar Abdullah, former J&K chief minister.