AMN / JAMMU

Curfew continued in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Friday, a day after unidentified gunmen shot dead BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother, with authorities calling the Army to help maintain calm.

The district administration imposed the curfew soon after the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his brother Ajit were fired from close range in Tappal Gali area of Kishtwar town on Thursday night while they were returning home after closing their shop.

BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit Secretary Anil Parihar and his brother were shot dead by unidentified militants in Kishtwar district last night.

Police sources said, Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning home from their shop when they were fired upon from close range. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. A massive search operation has been launched in the region to nab the gunmen.

In the wake of the assassinations curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar town and its adjoining areas to maintain law and order. Curfew has also been imposed in Bhaderwah town of adjoining Doda district and section 144 is in force in other sensitive parts of Chenab Valley region. Meanwhile, the situation in Kishtwar and adjoining areas is tense but under control.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed shock and pain over the killings, saying the police will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.

BJP president Amit Shah said, the attack was a cowardly act that shames humanity.