Srinagar chemist among 3 gunned down by militants

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 5

In a spate of attacks, militants killed two civilians in Srinagar, including noted chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo, and another in Bandipora district on Tuesday. Makhan Lal Bindroo owned Srinagar’s most famous chemist shop, Bindroo Medicate. After being shot point-blank in Iqbal Park, he was rushed to the SMHS hospital where he succumbed.

According to news agencies, Bindroo was among the few Kashmiri Pandits, who did not migrate out of Valley following the rise in extremism in 1990.

Shortly after that, terrorists shot dead a street vendor at Madin Sahib in Hawal on the outskirts of Srinagar. The vendor’s name is said to be Virendra of Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Within minutes of the second killing, militants shot dead Mohammad Shafi Lone at Naidkhai in Bandipora district. Officials said Lone was president of the local taxi stand.

Officials said the police had cordoned off the area and search operations were under way to nab the terrorists.

Meanwhile, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “What terrible news! He was a very kind man. I’ve been told he never left during the height of militancy and remained with his shop open. I condemn this killing in the strongest possible terms.”

He then went on to say on Twitter: “Another targeted attack in Srinagar. A poor non local handcart stall owner selling golguppas has been shot & has reportedly succumbed to his injuries. No words of condemnation are enough. May his soul rest in peace.” He also flayed the other killings.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, “Such acts of violence have no place in our society.”

Peoples’ Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone stated, “I knew the gentleman personally. He never left the Valley. And terrorists made him pay for that.”

Politicians condemn killings

• BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur, NC’s Omar Abdullah, People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti condemn attacks
• Makhan Lal Bindroo, who owned Srinagar’s famous Bindroo Medicate, shot dead on his premises in Iqbal Park
• A street vendor and a taxi stand leader among those killed