Two Lashkar terrorists, including one Pakistani, behind Wasim Bari's killing; all 10 PSOs to be dismissed

The fatal attack on BJP leader Wasim Bari in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora was carried out by two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, IGP of J&K Police Vijay Kumar said. Both terrorists have been identified.

Kumar, who visited the spot and met with army commander of Bandipora and CRPF personnel, said that one of the terrorists is a local who has been identified as Abid and the other is a Pakistani terrorist. 

"We have checked the CCTV footage in the presence of army and CRPF officers. Two terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba have carried out the attack. One is local who has been identified as Abid and another is a Pakistani terrorist. One fired at the trio from close range with a pistol while the other one was guiding him,” he said, adding that "the trio sustained head injuries and succumbed on the way to the hospital. We will track both the terrorists soon and eliminate them.”

He said the attack was pre-planned as Bari had visited his nephew and had returned to his home along with all PSOs. “After entering his house, his PSOs had gone to their room and Bari went to his shop where his father and brother were also present," Kumar informed.

Kumar further said that it was a mistake of the 10 personal security officers (PSOs) deployed for slain leader’s protection. All of them have been suspended and will be dismissed from service and arrested as well, he added.

Bari was killed by terrorists yesterday at around 8.45 pm outside his home cum office in Bandipora. He was shot by pistol from point-blank range in his head in the attack his father and younger brother also got killed. 

Terrorists fired upon him indiscriminately, injuring them critically. They were shifted to a hospital where they were declared brought dead. 

Bari is survived by his wife, a three-month-old child, and his sister. His last rites were performed at his home and then was buried in an Awqaf graveyard in Bandipora.