Unidentified gunmen attacked a district development council (DDC) candidate in the Kokernag area of South Kashmir while elections for the third phase were being held in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
This is the first attack on any DDC candidate since the electoral process began last month. The candidate who was shot has been identified as Anees ul Islam. He was attacked near Sagam in Kokernag.
People familiar with the development said that Anees had recently joined the Apni Party led by Altaf Bukhari. Authorities said they transferred him to a hospital. Doctors treating the candidate said he has suffered a gunshot wound but is stable. Police and Indian army personnel have arrived at the scene of the attack to carry out investigations.
Former J&K Prime Minister and Vice President of the National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah, said the attack was carried out by forces hostile to peace.
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“Disturbing reports from Kokernag in southern Kashmir about an attack on a DDC electoral candidate. I hope and pray that he survives the attack. Elections have always brought out the worst in those forces that remain adverse to peace in Kashmir, ”Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Three-tier security arrangements have been established while the DDC elections, to elect 280 candidates, are held in eight phases at the UT. So far, 25.58% of the votes were registered in the third phase of voting until 11 a.m.
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