Kashmiri Pandit shot at, killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, May 13, 2022: Terrorists fired at an employee of the revenue department in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. The victim, a Kashmiri Pandit, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Srinagar, where he died a little while later.

 

The incident took place at the Tehsildar office in Chadoora in central Kashmir. The victim has been identified as Rahul Bhat, a member of the Kashmiri Pandit community. After the incident, security forces launched a search operation in the area.

Terror group ’Kashmir Tigers’ has taken responsibility for the attack.

 

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.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 12, 2022

On the attack, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, "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 government stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief."

In an exclusive interview with India Today, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah alleged that the central government had failed to provide security to the people, especially minorities.

"Very sad and disturbed to hear about the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit. This killing will create fear among others also. The security situation is worsening in the Kashmir Valley and the government is busy presenting a fake rosy picture of Kashmir. All is not well in Kashmir," he said.

Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Ashwani Handa hit out at the government for failing to provide security to Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Last month, two motorcycle-borne terrorists opened fire at a Kashmiri Pandit shopkeeper in Chotogam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district. The victim, identified as Sonu Kumar, survived the attack.

In October last year, the Kashmir Valley was rocked by a spate of civilian killings, mostly targeted at minority communities. Makhan Lal Bindroo, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit and owner of Srinagar’s most famous pharmacy, was shot dead at his shop on October 5.

This was followed by the death of Virender Paswan, a street food vendor in Srinagar, and Supinder Kaur, the principal of a government school, among others.

Courtesy: India Today