June 14, 2018: In Jammu & Kashmir, veteran journalist and Editor in Chief of local English daily Rising Kashmir, Syed Shujaat Bukhari, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar this evening.
Police said, four unidentified gunmen, fired indiscriminately from the close range at Shujaat Bukhari and his two personal security guards (PSOs). One among two PSOs died on the spot and another was critically injured and shifted to hospital. Shujaat Bukhari was declared brought dead at Srinagar hospital. So far, no terrorist organisation has taken responsibility for the attack.
Elder brother of the slain journalist Syed Basharat Bukhari is the sitting PDP MLA and cabinet minister in the PDP- BJP coalition government. Bukhari was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley. He was also part of the Track II process with Pakistan.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has termed the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, the Rising Kashmir editor as an act of cowardice. In a tweet, Mr Singh said, it is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir. He said, Shujaat Bukhari was a courageous and fearless journalist and he is extremely shocked and pained at his death. The Minister said, his thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family.
Reacting to veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s assassination, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said, terrorism has hit a new low. She said, it is all the more sad that the murder comes on the eve of Eid.
Ms. Mufti called upon people to unite against forces seeking to undermine their attempts to restore peace and assured that Justice will be done. Condemning the murder, the Chief Minister said, the scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. She expressed deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore today said that assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari is a brutal attack on freedom of press. In a tweet, Col Rathore termed it as a cowardly and deplorable act of terror.
He said, the fearless media is one of the greatest strength of the democracy of the country and government is committed to provide a safe and conducive working environment to media persons. (AIR News)
