Veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor-in-chief Shujaat Bukhari and two of his personal security officers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar.
Police officers claim that at least three armed men attacked Bukhari around 7 pm when he was leaving his office in Press Enclave for an Iftar party. The assailants also fled with the PSOs’ weapons.
Bukhari hailed from Keeri village of Pattan area of northern Kashmir and was currently living on the outskirts of Srinagar. He is survived by his parents, a doctor wife and two children.
Hours before his death, Bukhari had had posted the UN report on alleged human rights violations in the Valley.
Bukhari used to run four publications-Rising Kashmir (English daily), Buland Kashmir (Urdu daily) , Parcham, (Urdu weekly) and Sangarmal (Kashmiri newspaper). He also used to head the consortium of literary and cultural forums Adabi Markaz Kamaraz. He was the recipient of World Press Institute USA fellowship and Asian Centre for Journalism Singapore fellowship.
In 2006, Bukhari was reportedly abducted by two unidentified men in Srinagar, who drove him several kilometers away from the city. However, when one of them tried to shoot him, the gun got jammed and Bukhari managed to escape. In 1996, Bukhari, was among the 19 local journalists abducted by the militant group Ikhwan in Anantnag district.
J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the brutal killing and expressed condolence with the family of 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…” she tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “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.”
Police officers claim that at least three armed men attacked Bukhari around 7 pm when he was leaving his office in Press Enclave for an Iftar party. The assailants also fled with the PSOs’ weapons.
Bukhari hailed from Keeri village of Pattan area of northern Kashmir and was currently living on the outskirts of Srinagar. He is survived by his parents, a doctor wife and two children.
Hours before his death, Bukhari had had posted the UN report on alleged human rights violations in the Valley.
Bukhari used to run four publications-Rising Kashmir (English daily), Buland Kashmir (Urdu daily) , Parcham, (Urdu weekly) and Sangarmal (Kashmiri newspaper). He also used to head the consortium of literary and cultural forums Adabi Markaz Kamaraz. He was the recipient of World Press Institute USA fellowship and Asian Centre for Journalism Singapore fellowship.
In 2006, Bukhari was reportedly abducted by two unidentified men in Srinagar, who drove him several kilometers away from the city. However, when one of them tried to shoot him, the gun got jammed and Bukhari managed to escape. In 1996, Bukhari, was among the 19 local journalists abducted by the militant group Ikhwan in Anantnag district.
J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the brutal killing and expressed condolence with the family of 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…” she tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “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.”
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