In a video released to the media, a local Lashkar leader, carrying a gun, is seen threatening the three.
The alliance with Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples' Democratic Party broken, the BJP is now struggling to form government in Jammu and Kashmir. The party's efforts are being foiled by terrorists, who are threatening anyone willing to ally with the BJP, sources said. Even holding local body elections is proving difficult. Political parties in Kashmir Valley are dissuading new Governor Satyapal Malik from any efforts in the direction, citing the vitiated situation.
Recently, two rebel PDP leaders and separatist-turned politician Sajjad Lone received threats from Lashkar-e-Taiba's local leader Masroor Ahmad Bhat, also known as Abu Darda. A police case has been filed and the state, which is currently under Governor's Rule, informed the Centre about the issue.
In a new video clip released to the media, a local Lashkar leader, carrying a gun, is seen threatening the three. Accusing them of trying to form an "Ikhwan' - a new counter-insurgency force, he says if they continue their efforts, they will get exemplary punishment.
"We will kill you and your families, we will wipe you off. They are trying to do it to weaken militancy and the religion, by creating infighting, but we won't let that happen. This is the last warning by Lashkar-e-Taiba," the terrorist is heard saying in the 4.24-minute video.
Abdul Majeed Padder and Yasir Reshi had rebelled against their party, the PDP, after the BJP ended the coalition with Mehbooba Mufti. Sajad Gani Lone is the chairman of People's Conference party, which was part of the previous coalition government. The BJP's state leaders were trying to build a coalition, with him at its head.
The terrorists have taken full advantage of the fact that there is no elected government in the state at the moment. Over the last weeks, the terrorists have been focusing on soft targets -- policemen, their families and now legislators.
The police say the terrorists are desperate. Over the last eight months, almost 140 terrorists have been neutralised in Kashmir -- 70 of them in South Kashmir alone.
"Terror network in south Kashmir has suffered. We have been able to smash their hideouts and their overground workers, that is why they acting desperate. We managed to get through with Amarnath Yatra and now are preparing ourselves for elections," he added.
The officer said right now, "The focus should be on regaining control over the situation and not on elections". If elections are held, then the security forces would focus on it and counter terror operations will suffer," the officer said.