A “BJP-affiliated” sarpanch and an associate were arrested along with a pistol and ammunition in south Kashmir’s Kulgam on August 19, evening.
The arrested were identified as Aqib Shafi Badder, sarpanch from Badderpora-Qaimoh in Kulgam and Mohammad Amin Hajam from Hangalgund Kokernag in Anantnag.
BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said, “Sarpanch elections were contested on a non-political basis. The arrested person didn’t contest on the BJP ticket. He, however, participated in some of the rallies of BJP. We disown him”.
The police said, “A joint patrolling party of the Army’s 1 Rashtriya Rifles and the police apprehended the two persons when they were riding a motorcycle in Khudwani area. They were signaled to stop but they brandished a pistol and tried to flee from the spot”.
Police sources said one pistol, two magazines and 12 rounds were recovered from them.
“A case with FIR No. 78/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered at the Police Station Qaimoh and investigation has been initiated,” the police said.
