Shujaat Bukhari Assassination Was a Terror Attack, Say J&K Cops
Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bhukhari and PSOs, Constables Hamid Chaudhary & Mumtaz Awan were shot dead on 14 June.
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Shujaat Bukhari Shot Dead: Reports
Jammu and Kashmir CM Condoles Death
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Condemns the Killing
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called the attack on Shujaat Bukhari an act of cowardice. In a tweet he said:
BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav called the act reprehensible.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief and shock at the brutal killing of Bukhari.
Shujaat Had Been Getting Threats: Senior Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai
Prominent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai reacted to the death and said, "Over a period of time, Shujaat had been getting threats like many journalists in the Kashmir valley have."
He said, "In the case of journalists in the Kashmir valley, other journalists have also been targeted. Shujaat was a voice of sanity amidst the madness for a long time. He spoke out on issues with the same voice. He spoke out against the govt in Delhi and Kashmir, but he also spoke out about violence in the valley."
"A lot of his work was going into covering human rights violations. A lot of the work Rising Kashmir does covers human rights violations. Especially the role of the army," said Sardesai.
Bukhari's Colleagues Mourn His Death
Colleagues and people from the media fraternity took to Twitter to mourn Bukhari’s death as soon as news of his death surfaced.
Senior journalist Suhasini Haider tweeted, “We have all lost a battle today.”
Senior journalist Shekhar Gupta has called Bukhari’s death a loss for all Kashmiris, India and the entire journalist community.
Senior journalist Iftikhar Gilani told ANI, “Had a conversation with him just 20 minutes before the incident. It's really shocking.This is the situation of journalists in Kashmir. All those who have blood in their hands should be introspected.”
Here's What We Know So Far
Veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and his PSO were shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper's office in the heart of the Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, police officials told PTI.
Shujaat Bukhari, was leaving his office at the Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials told PTI.
While one of the Personal Security Officers (PSO) guarding him was killed, another policeman and a civilian were injured, they added.
The condition of the two injured in the shooting, which comes a day ahead of Eid, is critical, they said.
It was not immediately clear how many gunmen attacked Bukhari, who earlier worked with The Hindu as its Kashmir correspondent.
Bukhari was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley. He was also part of the Track II process with Pakistan.
'Brutal Attack on Freedom of Press', Says I&B Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore
Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore has called the killing an attack on freedom of press.
Bukhari Fought for Justice and Peace: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed anguish at the news of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s killing. In a tweet he said:
Editors Guild of India Condemns the Assassination of Shujaat Bukhari
They Fired at Him to Kill Him: Senior Journalist Zaffar Iqbal
Speaking to NDTV, senior journalist Zaffar Iqbal said, “We have not seen attacks of this magnitude. It’s clearly an aim to kill a person. It wasn’t a warning shot. They were waiting outside his office. He was going home for iftaar. They were waiting just outside his office and fired at him to kill him.”
“Shujaat was given protection but that wasn’t adequate. He was instrumental in organizing seminars and conferences in India and abroad. He was attacked just outside his office, where so many media organisations are located,” Iqbal added.
He Died in the Line of Duty: Omar Abdullah
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, quoted Bukhari’s old tweet and said that Bukhari died in the line of duty.
Former Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain Remembers Bukhari as a 'Friend'
Both PSOs Have Succumbed to Injuries: SP Vaid
Speaking to NDTV, Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) confirmed that both of Bukhari’s PSOs have also succumbed to injuries.
He said, “We have no information about anyone claiming the attack or anyone involved in this. We will know automatically who are the people behind it. Shujaat had, as per my information, two personal security officers with him. The incident happened around 7.15 pm, when 2-3 terrorists came and opened fire. Shujaat and both PSOs have succumbed to injuries.”
Voice of Sanity Silenced: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted saying “Enemies of humanity have silenced a voice of sanity in Kashmir.”
Preliminary Investigation Indicates Terror Attack: J&K Police
Jammu and Kashmir police said although preliminary investigation indicated that it was a terror attack, further probe is underway.
Bukhari's Killing Is a 'New Low': Editors Guild
The Editors Guild of India called Bukhari’s assassination a "new low in a rapidly deteriorating environment" for media persons in Jammu and Kashmir and called upon the state government to ensure their safety and bring to book the culprits.
It said an attack on a journalist challenges the very foundations of a free press and vibrant democracy and more so in a state like Jammu and Kashmir that is going through militancy.
The Guild also called upon the state and central governments to enhance security for all journalists in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said Bukhari was a voice of moderation and a courageous, big-hearted editor who mentored a large number of young journalists from Kashmir.
"Recent weeks have also seen threats of violence against many journalists in different parts of the country. The killing of Bukhari is a new low in a rapidly deteriorating environment for media practitioners in Kashmir, in particular, and in the country in general," the Guild said in a release.
90s Like Situation Returning to Kashmir: Press Club of India President
The Managing Committee in an urgent meeting, held at the Club premises in New Delhi, president Ashwani Kumar strongly condemned the attack on a senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari.
“This is not the first case, in the past as well, there have been cases of assault and attack on journalists while on duty and it is a direct attack on the fourth pillar of our democracy,” said Ashwani Kumar, while demanding that the state government must ensure safety of journalists.
He said that the terrorists eye soft targets and the attack on the fourth pillar is highly condemnable.
Secretary General, Press Club of Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal said the journalists are soft targets of militant outfits and anti-social elements in the militancy-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir. “I’m in complete shock after hearing about the attack on a senior journalist,” he said, also advocating for the safety of journalists.
He, however, also sought security for the journalist fraternity especially for those who are on the field, putting their lives at risk while performing professional duties.
Kashmir Police Release Pictures of Bukhari's Killers
The Kashmir police has released three photos of Bukhari’s killers, caught on CCTV.
Kashmir Police Honours Constables Abdul Hameed and Mumtaz Ahmad
The Kashmir police honoured the two PSOs – Ct Abdul Hameed & Ct Mumtaz Ahmad, who were killed along with Bukhari by the gunmen.
Pakistan Condemns Indian Journalist Shujaat Bukhari's Killing
Pakistan has condemned the assassination of veteran Indian journalist Shujaat Bukhari, who was gunned down outside his office in Srinagar.
"We have learned with deep shock and sadness about the assassination of noted Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari by unknown gunmen," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement.
The Foreign Office said Bukhari was known for carrying out his professional responsibilities with courage and conviction. "There can be no justification for anyone to commit such brutality, which cannot be condemned enough," it said.
Praying for Bukhari's soul to rest in eternal peace, the Foreign Office said: "Our profound thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time." "May the Almighty Allah grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss," it said.
Omar Abdullah Visits Bukhari's Residence
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah visited the residence of Shujaat Bukhari on Friday, 15 June.
Thousands Turn Up at Bukhari's Funeral
Thousands of people gathered at slain journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s funeral in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla on Friday, 15 June.
He will reportedly be laid to rest at his family’s ancestral graveyard in the district.
The former chief minister also condemned the deaths of the two security officers who were killed in the attack.
LeT Condemns Shujaat Bukhari's Killing
Terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba condemned editor Shujaat Bukhari’s killing, calling it a “conspiracy to suppress voice of Kashmir freedom struggle.”
US Condemns Bukhari Killing
The US High Commission in India condemned the killing of Shujaat Bukhari and the two PSOs Hamid Chaudhary and Mumtaz Awan.
Watch: Thousands Gather at Assassinated Editor Shujaat Bukhari’s Funeral
Press Club Members Pay Respects to Bukhari
Members of the Press Club in New Delhi paid homage to Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari, who was shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar on 14 June.
Such Mindless Violence Have No Place in Our Country: Pranab Mukherjee
Former President Pranab Mukherjee condemned the murder of Shujaat Bukhari saying that he was shocked at the “gruesome” murder and that such “mindless violence” have no place in our country.
We Have Lost a Precious Person: Mushtaq Ali Ahmad
The Quint’s Smita Chand spoke to Mushtaq Ali Ahmad, filmmaker and a close friend of Shujaat Bukhari who remembers him as a voice that fought for the people of Kashmir.
(Read the interview here)
This Is a Matter of Concern: Kavinder Gupta, J&K Deputy CM
Hours after senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari was assassinated, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta has condemned the killing as an act of cowardice.
Speaking to ANI, Gupta said, “Incident of killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari is a cowardly act. CCTV footage will play crucial role in the investigation and this is a matter of concern for us (J&K government) and the central government.”
Finance Minister Condemns Shujaat Bukhari's Killing
J&K Police Releases Photo of 4th Suspect
J&K Police has released a screenshot showing a suspect in connection with the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two personal guards and have sought help of general public in identifying him, reported PTI.
The police issued the picture from a video, which was purportedly recorded by a passerby following the attack on Bukhari outside his office, showing a bearded man surveying the inside of the journalist's vehicle.
As a man pulls out Bukhari's guard, the suspect is seen picking up his pistol and disappearing from the scene right under the nose of the cops there.
Late last night, police had issued two photographs of three-motorcycle borne suspects that were taken from the CCTV footage. However, their faces were not visible.
At This Stage, It Is a Terror Attack: J&K Police
Briefing the media, SP Pani, IG in Kashmir said that Shujaat Bukhari’s assassination was a terror incident.
Pani also confirmed that the fourth suspect, Subair Qadri, who was seen picking up the pistol from the spot of the crime and vanishing, has been taken into custody.
Pani said the pistol and the clothes worn by Qadri, which was disposed of, have been recovered.
J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti Meets Bukhari's Family
Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti met the family of Shujaat Bukhari on Eid day at their residence in Keeri area of Pattan in Baramulla district.
Veteran journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir newspaper Shujaat Bukhari’s assassination on 14 June was a “terror attack”, said Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday, 15 June. Briefing the media, the police said a fourth suspect involved with the killing has been taken into custody.
Bukhari was laid to rest in his ancestral village with thousands of friends and admirers braving heavy rain to mourn a veteran journalist, who had championed peace in times of conflict and may have been killed for it.
- Bukhari, and two of his Personal Security Officers (PSO) Hamid Chaudhary and Mumtaz Awan were shot at by three-four armed men, sources told The Quint
- Bukhari was shot dead outside the Press Enclave in Srinagar
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