Noted journalist Shujaat Bukhari shot dead in Kashmir
15 Jun 2018
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In another incident of a journalist being slain in India, Rising Kashmir newspaper editor Shujaat Bukhari and his two security personnel were shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper's office in the heart of Srinagar.
The incident comes when the killing of another Indian journalist, Gauri Lankesh, is still fresh in people’s minds. Police officials said today that on Thursday that Bukhari, who was in his 50s, was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an Iftar party when he faced a hail of bullets, from motorcycle-borne gunmen.
While reports are still not very clear, it appears that one of the personal security officers (PSOs) guarding him was killed on the spot, while another policeman died on route to hospital and a civilian was also injured.
The police say the killers were waiting for Bukhari to come out of the building and it appeared to be a planned attack. It was not clear who was responsible for the attack, Jammu & Kashmir police chief S P Vaid told NDTV.
A CCTV grab released by the police shows three attackers on a motorcycle. While the rider was wearing a helmet, the other two men were wearing masks. They can be seen carrying guns hidden in a sack.
"Today at about 7:30 pm when Bukhari was coming out of his office and climbing into his car, three terrorists, who had come on a motorcycle, opened fire. Two of his PSOs (personal security officers) were also hit ... they were shot before they could react," Vaid said.
“They (the killers) chose the Iftaar time when everybody was rushing home. We will look into who these people are," he added.
The attack took place hours after Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a security review meeting for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage that starts later this month. Reports say Rajnath Singh's peace initiative in Kashmir, a ceasefire, may not extend beyond Ramzan, which is expected to end with Eid on Saturday.
State chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said in two tweets, “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.
“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.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “The killing of @RisingKashmir editor, Shujaat Bukhari is 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.”
The opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “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.”
Shujaat Bukhari was given police protection since an attack on him in 2000. He was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir valley and mentored several young journalists. He was also part of the ‘Track II’ or alternate channels dialogue process with Pakistan.
Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the police hospital, where Bukhari's body was brought, to console his grief-stricken family and appeared close to tears herself. "It's very difficult to believe. He came to meet me just a few days ago," she said.
From the Editors Guild of India to the Press Club of Mumbai, condemnations of the attack were immediate and unreserved, calling on the state to improve security conditions for journalists.
Bukhari had survived three previous assassination attempts. He was the brother of Basharat Bukhari, who is a PDP leader and an MLA from the Sangrama constituency in North Kashmir.
Bukahri had extensively worked with The Hindu and continued as bureau chief of the major English daily.
Recipient of World Press Institute USA fellowship, Bukhari had done his Masters in Journalism from Ateneo de Manila University, Manila as a fellow of Asian Centre for Journalism. He was also a fellow at East West Centre at the US state of Hawaii.
