Attack on Press Freedom: Friends Mourn Shujaat Bukhari’s Death

Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Srinagar on 14 June.

(Photo: Facebook/Shujaat Bukhari)

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 Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Thursday, 14 June.

Bukhari, who was in his 50s, was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city’s Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials said.

Politicians, friends and colleagues took to social media to condole the tragic death of Bukhari, who was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley.

Politicians Deplore the Tragedy

The Scourge of Terror Has Reared its Ugly Head on the Eve of Eid: Mehbooba Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a message that she was shocked and saddened by Bukhari's "sudden demise".

"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," the chief minister said on Twitter.

Terrorism, she said, has hit a new low with Bukhari'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," Mehbooba said.

‘An Act of Cowardice’: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack on Bukhari and said, “It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir.”

‘Brutal Attack on Freedom of Press’: Rajyavardhan Rathore

Newly-appointed Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore called the “assassination” of Bukhari “a brutal attack on freedom of press.”

Shocked Beyond Words: Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah tweeted, saying he is “shocked beyond words” at Bukhari’s death.

“Fought Fearlessly for Justice and Peace in J&K”: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, saying that he was “anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari.”

A Grave Attack on Press Freedom and Democratic Voices: Editors Guild of India

The Editors Guild of India, an association of journalists, condemned the assassination on Twitter.

Friends, Colleagues Bewail

“Deeply Dismayed”: Amnesty India

Human Rights organisation Amnesty hailed Bukhari as “a brave and outspoken voice for justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir.”