A day after the tragic killing of former BJP Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora village, Shopian, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Sheikh, known for his dedication to grassroots development, was fatally shot by terrorists outside his home on Saturday night.
Sheikh, a respected figure in the community, leaves behind his wife and three children. The funeral, led by a local Imam, saw a large turnout from various areas of Shopian, reflecting the profound grief and shock within the community.
Sara Begum, a local resident, recounted the harrowing night. “Aijaz had some guests over, and after dinner, he was playing with his younger daughter. Around 10:30 pm, some individuals came looking for him. When he stepped outside, he was shot at close range. Despite immediate efforts to take him to the hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival,” she said. The assailants fled under the cover of darkness.
Close friend Waseem Ahmad expressed the community’s anguish. “Aijaz worked tirelessly for our development and had no enemies. His loss is immense. He was a humble, helpful man, the hope of many,” he said. Another relative, Mohammad Usman, echoed these sentiments, questioning the senseless violence. “Aijaz harmed no one. His killing has devastated us.”
In a separate incident, a tourist couple from Jaipur was injured in a terrorist attack in Anantnag on Saturday night. Their condition is stable. These attacks occurred just days before the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency polls on May 20, raising security concerns.
The BJP’s Kashmir unit held a protest in Srinagar against the recent attacks. Spokesperson Altaf Thakur led a march, demanding strict action against the terrorists. Protesters held placards condemning Pakistan and the violence.
National Conference Chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah called for an independent inquiry into the killings, stressing the impact on tourism. “Before pointing fingers, we need a thorough investigation. Terrorism continues to plague us, affecting our tourism industry,” he said. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attacks, questioning the timing and the government’s claims of normalcy.
The twin terror attacks have cast a shadow over the ongoing election campaign for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat, which votes on May 25. The community mourns the loss of Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, whose commitment to development and service will be remembered by all who knew him.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Shopian and Pahalgam. He assured that security forces have been given a free hand to bring the perpetrators to justice. “I am deeply shocked at the terrorist attack and the brutal killing of former Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh. He was an exemplary grassroots leader and will be remembered for his selfless service to the people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and admirers. We stand in solidarity with the family at this difficult hour. The heinous attack on tourists at Pahalgam is also distressing. I have already instructed the administrative and police officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured couple. The government has given free hand to the J&K Police and security forces to crush terrorists and their associates. I have complete faith in the bravery of our personnel, and the perpetrators of this attack will be punished soon. Our security forces will also hunt down those elements who are helping the terrorists and trying to disrupt J&K’s developmental journey,” he said.
