In a separate incident of targeted violence, terrorists in Anantnag, located in south Kashmir, fatally shot a migrant worker from Bihar on Wednesday. Despite immediate medical attention, the man did not survive his injuries and died at the hospital.
#WATCH | J&K | Terrorists fired upon & critically injured one person identified as Raju Shah resident of Bihar at Jablipora Bijbehera, Anantnag. He has been evacuated to hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off.
---Advertisement---Visuals from the hospital in Anantnag. https://t.co/SpXs1IhcJh pic.twitter.com/gdQ3x3GY2f
— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2024
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A Telegram channel affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), identified as a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorist organization has described the killing as a “gift for your elections.”
According to police reports, the victim has been identified as 35-year-old Raja Shah, son of Shankar Shah, hailing from Bihar. Authorities stated that the assailants fired at Shah from close proximity, resulting in two gunshot wounds to his neck and abdomen. The incident occurred in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag. Police have cordoned off the entire vicinity in efforts to capture the attackers.
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The deliberate targeting of a non-local individual occurred just days before the commencement of phase 1 of the Lok Sabha Election 2024. This incident marks the second attack within a span of nine days. Previously, on April 8, terrorists had shot and wounded a non-local tourist cab driver in the Shopian district of south Kashmir.
Strongly condemn the tragic Bijbehara attack in which a non local named Raja Shah, of Bihar lost his life in this senseless act of violence. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. This must end, people want peace but militants don’t want peace. We must stand together against…
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) April 17, 2024
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader, Mahbooba Mufti, has strongly denounced the attack and offered her heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. Former Union Minister and Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has also condemned the attack and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace.
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