A former Special Correspondent of The Hindu, Bukhari was Kashmir’s leading journalist who had worked with prestigious publications including The Kashmir Times and Frontline before he set up his own newspaper.
Shock, disbelief and outrage has gripped Kashmir after one of the leading journalists and editor in chief of a prestigious daily `The Rising Kashmir' Syed Shujaat Bukhari was assassinated by the suspected militants outside his office at Press Colony here on Thursday evening. His personal security officer (PSO) was also killed while another suffered grievous injury in the attack.
Bukhari was leaving for home when terrorists fired indiscriminately at his vehicle outside his office on Thursday evening. The injured were rushed to the hospital where Bukhari and his PSO were declared dead. The condition of the second PSO is stated to be critical.
“It is a terror attack and we are investigating the case. We are looking into it. It is really unfortunate”, said SP Pani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone.
A former Special Correspondent of The Hindu, Bukhari was Kashmir’s leading journalist who had worked with prestigious publications including The Kashmir Times and Frontline before he set up his own newspaper.
A widely travelled man, he had escaped a near-death attack a few years back when he was abducted by the militants from Residency Road. However, he jumped from the auto rickshaw in which he was being ferried and fled.
The killing of Bukhari has evoked a sharp reaction from leaders across the political divide in Kashmir. “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”, tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.
Mehbooba noted that 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 assured.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh said the killing of Rising Kashmir 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,” he tweeted.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said said he was 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”, Omar tweeted
Moderate Hurriyat Conference 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”, he tweeted.
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