Editor-in-chief of Rising Kashmir and senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead on Thursday by unidentified gunmen at Press Enclave here. One of his personnel security officers was also killed on the spot, while another died later at the hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, Bukhari was ambushed at around 7.10 pm when he stepped out of his office located at Press Enclave. The assailants, believed to be two in number, fired at his vehicle from the two sides. Critically injured Bukhari was moved to hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Inspector general of police, Kashmir range, S P Pani said police was investigating the attack. He refused to divulge any further details.
A senior police official told Greater Kashmir that police will constitute Special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing. The SIT will be headed by a senior police official.
Bukhari’s death marks the killing of a third journalist at Press Enclave.
On Feb 1, 2003, Parvaz Mohammed Sultan, editor of a local news agency NAFA was shot dead in his office.
On September 10, 1995 cameraman Mushtaq Ali was killed in a bomb attack believed to be aimed at former BBC correspondent Yussuf Jameel who miraculously escaped with injuries.
At least half a dozen journalists have been killed in Srinagar in the past 28 years.
In 1991, the editor of Urdu daily Alsaffa News was shot dead in his office.
Union Home minister, Rajnath Singh, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned Bukhari’s killing.
Rajnath expressed his condolences and added that Mr. Bukhari’s killing was “an act of cowardice.”
“It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir. He was a courageous and fearless journalist. Extremely shocked & pained at his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family,” he tweeted.
Governor NN Vohra has conveyed shock and grief on “gruesome killing of Syed Shujaat Bukhari, Editor of Rising Kashmir. Recalling Bukhari’s standing as a veteran journalist Governor described his murder as a big loss to the media fraternity.
In a message Governor has prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. Governor has called Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, Cabinet Minister and Shujaat’s brother, to convey his heartfelt sympathy.
Mehbooba wrote in her twitter handle: “Shocked & deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shujaat Bukhari. 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.”
“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,” she tweeted.
Chief Minister, Mehbooa Mufti has strongly condemned the killing of veteran journalist and Editor of daily Rising Kashmir, Dr. Syed Shujaat Bukhari, who was killed this evening at his office in Srinagar.
In a condolence message later, the Chief Minister described the killing of Bukhari “as highly barbaric, deplorable and condemnable”.
“His killing today has only established that violence cannot stand the scrutiny of logic and rationality,” she said in her statement adding the J&K today “stands in unanimity in condemning this inhuman act of savagery”.
Mehbooba said the role and contribution rendered by Shujaat Bukhari in institutionalisation of the media here has become a part of the journalistic history of the state. “One would always see him raising issues of common cause concerning people. He would often fight for the issues of people through his columns and various discussions but alas this voice of people stands silenced today brutally”, she added in her message.
The Chief Minister visited the hospital and paid her respects to the departed soul. She also conveyed her heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family particularly his parents, wife and two kids.
Omar Abdullah wrote “Inna lilahi wa inna illahi rajiuun. Shocked beyond words. May Shujaat find place in Jannat & may his loved ones find strength at this difficult time.”
“Even in the last tweet he put out he was defending himself, his colleagues & his profession. He died in the line of duty doing what he did best & loved doing – journalism,” he tweeted.
Against moral, human ethics: Geelani
Condemning the killing of Shujat Bukhari by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani said that it was against the moral and human ethics to kill a person without any justification.
Regretting such mysterious killings, the Hurriyat leader said difference of opinion is no way a crime and hence no reason to kill a person. Geelani paid his condolences to the bereaved family of the young journalist and prayed for his eternal peace.
Deeply saddened, shocked: Mirwaiz
Hurriyat M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news of Shujaat Bukhari’s killing”.
“Such inhumanity is unpardonable and condemned in the strongest terms. Proud son of the soil his death is a huge loss. Shujaat was an erudite intellectual, a fearless journalist and above all a selfless human deeply concerned for his people. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Pray to Almighty for his magfirat and place in Jannat,” Mirwaiz posted on Twitter.
Assault on freed of expression: Malik
Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik strongly condemned the brutal killing of senior Kashmiri Journalist and editor in chief of Rising Kashmir Syed Shujaat Bukhari who was shot dead outside his office.
Terming this attack on a saner Kashmiri voice as “barbaric, gruesome and direct assault on freedom of speech and expression”, JKLF chairman said that Kashmir has lost “a balanced voice at the hands of ruthless assailants and this is actually a moment of mourning for all of us”.
While praying for his heavenly abode, JKLF chairman expressed heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and prayed for their Sabr-i-Jamil.
A spokesman of Democratic Freedom Party condemned the killing of Syed Shujat Bukhari and expressed solidarity with bereaved family.
Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement chairman Zaffar Akber Bhat termed Bukhari’s killing as murder of journalism, attack on freedom of press. He expressed heartfelt condolences with his family and whole team of Rising Kashmir.
Deputy grand Mufti Nasir Ahmad said that it is deplorable and shameful act.
Senior Hurriyat leader and chairman Islamic Political Party Muhammad Yousuf Naqash described Bukhari’s killing as deplorable act and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed shock over Shujaat’s killing. “I am shocked and stunned to learn about the gruesome killing. The killers must be identified and brought to book. I pray for his soul to rest in peace and offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” Azad said.
Works minister Naeem Akther said, “They are same people who killed an army man, a police man during the day and two cops a day earlier. No theories. The people who publicly said no to ceasefire, no to dialogue. Does it need a research to find out.”
I&B Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rahtore said: “Assassination of #ShujaatBukhari is a brutal attack on freedom of press. A cowardly and deplorable act. Our fearless media is one of the greatest strength of our democracy and we are committed to provide a safe and conducive working environment to media persons.”
Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condemned the killing, saying he had a brave heart. He wrote: “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.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter: “Saddened and shocked at the brutal killing of respected editor and senior journalist @bukharishujaat With a few hours to go for Eid this is terrible. No words are enough for this big tragedy.”
Malini Parthasarathy, director – Editorial Strategy, The Hindu, said she was deeply saddened. “A very dear friend, colleague and someone I’ve long admired for his gutsy and principled reporting. He called out extremism without mincing words. His assassination is unforgivable.”
D Raja, national secretary of CPI said, “We condemn Bukhari’s killing. It is shocking that journalists are being targeted in this manner and it is a sad day not just for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire country. Shujat was known for his courage and conviction.”
Youth president PDP Waheed ur Rehman Parra, vice-president Yawar Mir and secretary youth Arif Laigaroo also condemned the killing of Shujaat Bukhari.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International wrote on their twitter account: We’re deeply dismayed to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of @RisingKashmir. He was a brave and outspoken voice for justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir. “
Sitanshu Kar, principal spokesperson, Government of India & Director General of Press Information Bureau said, “Extremely saddened by the way the voice of Shujaat Bukhari, one of the finest journalists of J&K, has been silenced. His voice of moderation will be missed by all.
National Conference youth provincial vice- president Ahsan Pardesi termed Bukhari’s killing as cowardice, murder of journalism and attack on freedom of press.
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) led by Dr Suhail Nayak expressed grief and shock over Bukhari’s killing. “I is very hard and shocking to believe that we have lost the most thorough professional person of the journalist fraternity to the pangs of death”.
A spokesman of Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti expressed heartfelt condolences and prayed for peace to the departed soul.” A fearless person is silenced by the persons who do not want sane voices to exist in Kashmir Valley,” the spokesman added.
A spokesman of J&K National People’s Party condemned the killing. “Shujaat was a fearless journalist and above all a selfless human deeply concerned for his people. We pray to Almighty for his Magfirat and place in Jannat.”