BJP leader’s nephew killed in grenade explosion in Rajouri

JAMMU — Nephew of a BJP leader was killed while he along with seven other members of his family including 7-year-old baby suffered injuries in an explosion in Rajouri district on Thursday night.

As per news agency GNS, there was an explosion at the house of the BJP leader Jasbir Singh near Khandli Bridge area in the district.

Eight members of the family were injured in the blast and were removed to hospital where Veer Singh (4), son of Balbir Singh, succumbed to the injuries.

Meanwhile, soon after the explosion, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Vivek Gupta and SSP Rajouri Sheema Nabi Qasba reached the spot.

BJP leader undergoes surgery, 7-month-old shifted to Jammu

Hours after a child was killed and other family members were injured in the explosion, which as per news agency KINS was a grenade attack, the seriously injured BJP leader underwent a major surgery while his seven-month-old daughter was referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has condemned the attack, terming it a coward act.

Some unidentified men allegedly lobbed a grenade in the house of BJP Mandal President Rajouri, Jasbir Singh late evening on Thursday in which the family members sustained injuries while his nephew succumbed.

“The BJP leader has lost his nephew in the grenade attack while his seven-month-old daughter has been referred to the GMC for advanced treatment and he himself underwent a major surgery,” police sources quoted by KINS said on Friday.

They said that other family members are also receiving treatment in District Hospital Rajouri.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Strongly condemn the cowardly attack in the house of a political leader in Rajouri in which a 2-year old child was killed & others were injured.”

“My deepest condolences to family & prayers for early recovery of injured. Perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice soon,” said Sinha.

The blast occurred late last evening near Khandlu Bridge, a few kilometres short of Rajouri.

General Secretary (Organisation) BJP J&K, Ashok Koul, has also condemned the attack.

“Condemning the terrorist attack on our Mandal President Rajouri Urban Jasbir Singh’s residence, in which 7-8 family members were seriously injured. This is a cowardly act that will never be accepted,” Koul tweeted.