Ex-MLA and BJP leader Faqeer Mohammad Khan dies by suicide in Srinagar

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir legislator and BJP leader Faqeer Mohammad Khan died by suicide in Srinagar on Thursday. He was 62.

According to official sources, Khan shot himself inside a government accommodation in the Tulsibagh area. He reportedly broke open an almirah where his personal security officer (PSO) had kept his rifle before stepping out to offer Namaz. He was later found lying in a pool of blood with the service rifle beside him.

Khan was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to his death. The motive behind his suicide remains unclear.

His passing was announced during the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Assembly observed a two-minute silence in his memory, and political leaders expressed their condolences, acknowledging his contributions to public service.

Khan had contested the 2024 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket from the Gurez constituency in Bandipora district but lost to Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi of the National Conference (NC). He previously won the 1996 Assembly elections from Gurez as an Independent before joining the BJP in 2020.

Last year’s Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held after the Lok Sabha elections, which saw significant voter participation. The NC emerged as the largest party with 42 seats, followed by the BJP with 29. Congress secured six seats, while the PDP, CPI(M), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), People's Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) won one seat each. Additionally, six Independents were elected.

All 29 BJP seats were won in the Jammu division, with the party failing to secure a single seat in Kashmir.

With IANS inputs