Kashmiri Pandit shot dead inside his office in Budgam
Kashmir Tigers, a little-known outfit, has claimed responsibility
A government employee belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community was killed by two terrorists inside his office in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday, police said.
The incident took place in the afternoon when the terrorists entered the tehsil office in Chadoora town and opened fire at Rahul Bhat, who was a clerk posted there.
The 45-year-old, who was residing in a migrant colony at Sheikhpura, was rushed to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to injuries.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that two terrorists are involved in this heinous crime and have used pistol for committing this crime,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.
According to news agency PTI, a little-known outfit, Kashmir Tigers, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Dozens of Kashmiri Pandits in Vessu later staged protests against the killing, disrupting traffic in the area.
The incident was also condemned by leaders and political parties of the UT.
“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,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a tweet.
National Conference vicepresident Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack. “I unequivocally condemn the murderous militant attack on Rahul Bhat. Targeted killings continue & a sense of fear grows unchecked. My heartfelt condolences to Rahul’s family,” the former chief minister tweeted.
“Another life ended and another family devastated... It also belies the false claims of normalcy in Kashmir,” Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, a body of pandits living in Valley who did not migrate, said in a tweet: “Today afternoon one more young kashmiri pandit killed by terrorists inside his office, but GOI claims normalcy in the valley. Shri Amit Shah ji, how much more blood is needed to give peace, normalcy in this part of India (Kashmir valley)”.
Thursday’s killing was the latest in a spate of attacks on civilians, minorities, outsiders and security personnel in recent months, prompting authorities to step up vigil and intensify counter-terror operations.
On April 13, Satish Kumar Singh, a resident of Kakran in Kulgam, was killed by terrorists. On April 7, Sonu Sharma, a migrant labourer, was injured after terrorists fired at him in Pulwama. On April 3, two migrant labourers – Dheeraj Dutt and Surinder Singh – from Punjab were injured after they were shot at by terrorists, again in Pulwama.
Last year, civilians, minorities and outsiders were targeted in Kashmir, prompting authorities to step up vigil and intensify counter-terror operations.
A prominent Srinagar pharmacist Makhan Lal Bindroo, street vendor Virender Paswan from Bihar’s Bhagalpur, and Muhammad Shafi Lone, a taxi driver, were shot dead in Srinagar and Bandipora.