Srinagar, May 12 (UNI) A Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead in yet another targeted attack in Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.
Police said Rahul Bhat, a revenue department official at the tehsil office in Chadoora in Budgam, was shot at in his office.
“Terrorists fired upon one employee namely Shri Rahul Bhat from minority community in Tehsildar office Chadoora, Budgam. He has been shifted to hospital,” Police said in a tweet. “The injured was immediately brought to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Police said two militants were involved in the attack.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that 02 terrorists are involved in this heinous crime & have used pistol for committing this crime,” the police tweet added. A health official said Bhat had received four bullets.
Today’s killing is the latest in a series of attacks on migrant workers and local minorities taking place in Kashmir over the last eight months.
This is also the third attack on a member of the minority community in the Valley this year. On April 13, a Rajput Satish Kumar Singh was shot dead in Kulgam.
Earlier on April 4, a Kashmiri Pandit Bal Krishan was injured in a militant attack near his residence in Shopian district.
Earlier on April 4, a Kashmiri Pandit Bal Krishan was injured in a militant attack near his residence in Shopian district.
Militants have also carried out a series of attacks on migrant workers this year.
The killing of Bhat triggered instant protests. A group of Kashmiri Pandits blocked the Srinagar Jammu National Highway at Vessu, Qazigund in Kulgam district. Kashmir Pandit employees also staged a protest in Budgam district. The protesters demanded justice for Bhat.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killing.
“I strongly condemn the barbaric killing of Rahul Bhat by terrorists at Budgam.
Those behind this despicable terror attack will not go unpunished. J&K Govt stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” LG tweeted.
Political parties condemned the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit.
Political parties condemned the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said “the sole purpose of such dastardly and heinous acts is to vitiate the atmosphere of Kashmir.”
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said targeted killings were continuing. “…Rahul was a government employee working in the Tehsil office in Chadoora where he was attacked. Targeted killings continue & a sense of fear grows unchecked. My heartfelt condolences to Rahul’s family. RIP,” Omar tweeted.
Another chief minister Mehbooba Mufti while condemning the killing said, “ ..a kashmiri Pandit boy Rahul Bhat was murdered in chadoora. Another life ended and another family devastated. My heart goes out to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. It also belies the false claims of normalcy in Kashmir.”
Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone said “it is difficult to read the minds of these psychopaths who indulge in such killings.”
BJP termed the act “highly barbaric, cowardly, and frustration by terrorists.” “Strongly denounce the cowardly act by terrorists who fired at an innocent and umarmed civilian Rahul Bhat working with the Revenue department at Chadoora, Budgam. Act highly barbaric, cowardly, and frustration by terrorists. Attackers must be brought to justice forthwith,” BJP JK spokesman Altaf Thakur said.
The CPI (M) and Apni Party also condemned the killing
