Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bhukari shot dead in Srinagar

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 14

Veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and his two personal security officers were on Thursday shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper's office in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital.

Bukhari, who was in his 50s, was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials said.

Terrorism has hit a new low with Shujaat’s killing. That too, on the eve of Eid. We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done. https://t.co/8oCNXan13L

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 14, 2018

The funeral will be held at 11 am on Friday. He will be buried at his ancestral graveyard Kreeri.

Giving details, police said in a statement that terrorists this evening fired upon senior journalist and editor-in-chief of the daily, 'Rising Kashmir', Shujaat bukhari at Press Enclave.

"While Shujaat Bukhari was travelling in a car near Press Enclave, he was fired (upon) indiscriminately which resulted in instant death of Bhukari and a PSO who was with him. The other PSO who was shifted to the hospital in critical condition has succumbed to his injury," the statement said.

"Preliminary investigation...indicates this as a terror attack. Police is investigating the case and condemn this gruesome terror act," the statement said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a message that she was shocked and saddened by Bukhari's "sudden demise".

"The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family," the chief minister said on Twitter.

Terrorism, she said, has hit a new low with Bukhari's killing, "that too on the eve of Eid".             

"We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done," Mehbooba said.

I’m anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of @RisingKashmir. He was a brave heart who fought fearlessly for justice and peace in Jammu & Kashmir. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 14, 2018

It was not immediately clear how many gunmen attacked Bukhari, who earlier worked with The Hindu newspaper as its Kashmir correspondent.

Bukhari was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley. He was also part of the Track II process with Pakistan. with PTI inputs