LET MAN AMONG THREE IDENTIFIED FOR involvement in Shujaat Bukhari’s killing

SRINAGAR: In a breakthrough in the probe into the assassination of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari, Jammu and Kashmir police has reportedly identified three shooters involved in his murder.

Bukhari, the editor of Valley-based daily Rising Kashmir, was shot dead by gunmen outside the newspaper’s office in the heart of Srinagar on June 14. His two PSOS were also killed in the firing.

“We have identified the attackers,” a senior police officer said. The officer added that while two of suspects are local terrorists, the third one is from Pakistan.

The state police, however, have not officially confirmed the report.

The three shooters were captured on a CCTV camera. In the footage released by the police, one shooter, wearing a black helmet, was shown riding the bike. The second suspect was hiding his face, and the third was wearing a black mask. The image also showed the second pillion rider carrying a bag, which probably had the guns used in the attack.

The report cited sources to report that the Pakistan terrorist has been identified as Naveed Jatt, who escaped from police custody from Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital in February this year. He is believed to be associated with the Lashkar-e-taiba.

Earlier, intelligence agencies had suspected that Naveed Jatt was behind the murder of the senior journalist.

No terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the dastardly act.

Bukhari, a leading journalistic voice in Jammu and Kashmir, had been under police protection for over 15 years after a failed abduction attempt.