'Martyrdom' of Rakesh Pandita will not go in vain: J-K BJP chief

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina condemned the death of BJP leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama's Tral Rakesh Pandita and said the 'martyrdom' of Pandita will not go in vain.

Raina, in a video message, said, "In cowardice acts of terrorism, the Pakist terrorist once again bled the Kashmir valley. The dynamic and vibrant BJP worker Rakesh Pandita is targeted in the nighttime at the Tral area. The Pakists have once again created a bloodbath in the Kashmir valley."

"Rakesh Pandita Ji was a dedicated and committed BJP worker who always dared the Pakists in Kashmir Valley. But the traitors, the coward Pakists in the dark night attacked him. In this attack, he attends the martyrdom. The martyrdom of Rakesh Pandita will not go in vain," the Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief said.

Raina further said, "The terrorists causing a bloodbath in Kashmir Valley will be eliminated. It is a murder of humty and Kashmiriyat."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Municipal Councillor of Pulwama's Tral Rakesh Pandita was killed in the firing by three terrorists in Tral Payeen here on Wednesday.

The attack on the Municipal Councillor took place when he was not accomped by his two Personal Security Officers (PSOs).

"Late in the evening today (Wednesday), three unidentified terrorists fired upon Municipal Councillor of Tral Rakesh Pandita. He was a resident of Tral Bala who was visiting his friend at Tral Payeen. Somnath Pandita succumbed to injuries whereas daughter of his friend is seriously wounded," Inspector-General, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told .

"Pertinently, the said Councillor was residing in secure accommodation in Srinagar and was provided with two PSOs. The Councillor was not accomped by the PSOs during his visit to Tral," Kumar added.

Police and security forces have cordoned the area and a massive search operation has been launched to nab the assailants.

( With inputs from ANI )