Amid the heart-rendering wailings of the family members, the mortal remains of Puran Kishan Bhat reached his residence in Shopian late on Saturday night.
Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit, fell victim to the dastardly act of terrorism after he was gunned down by the terrorists while he was on his way to an orchard in Shopian on Saturday. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.
The Kashmir Freedom Fighters, a terror organisation, claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident also highlighted the growing incidents of terror attacks on the minority communities of Kashmir – especially the Kashmiri Pandits – by terrorists.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sujit Kumar said, “A Kashmiri Pandit, Puran ji has been murdered. We are working on the case. KFF (Kashmir Freedom Fighters) has claimed responsibility for it. We won’t say anything for sure about it yet. ”
We are together with the family of Martyr Puran Kumar Bhat who was shot dead by terrorists in South Kashmir's Shopian district.
Rest in Peace!
Repeatedly targeted killings of #KashmiriPandits expose the normalcy rhetoric of the Govt.
We demand justice for Kashmiri Pandits. pic.twitter.com/TFtBj7r5T9
— J&K Youth Congress (@IYCJammuKashmir) October 15, 2022
The recent attacks followed the central government’s efforts to help the Kashmiri Pandits – the original inhabitants of the mystical valley – to return to their ancestral lands.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has promised that the perpetrators will face harsh punishment.
“The attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished,” he said in a tweet.
Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished.
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) October 15, 2022
According to eyewitnesses, the heinous act appears to be the work of a lone terrorists. “In the initial investigation, eyewitnesses say that there was only one person who had targeted him and was in front of him. Nobody has spotted anyone else who might be hiding. Things will be clear, give us some time,” Kumar said.
Bloodbath continues in Kashmir, another day and another targetted killing of Puran Krishan Bhat is only exposing @BJP4India fake claims of Peace in Kashmir Valley
Since BJP selected LG is ruling here, Killings of Kashmiri migrants have increased drastically.
I strongly condemn pic.twitter.com/3f9PpNWu0h
— Mehraj Malik AAP (@MehrajMalikAAP) October 15, 2022
DIG Kumar further said, “We are ascertaining the reason. He had gone out on his scooter and had returned on it. He wasn’t alone; there were two people. If the incident occurred in the presence of the guard who was deployed here, action will cover not only him but all concerned officers in the area.”
Unfortunate killings continue in valley Dr Nawab Nasir Aman (State spokesman #AAP jk ) raises questions over the claim of Govt “that the security measures are ok @ kashmir “. Dr Nawab strongly condemned the killing of Puran Krishna Bhat . pic.twitter.com/zm2hVMf7EL
— Dr Nawab Nasir Aman (@DrNawabAAP) October 15, 2022
The police investigation is underway and further information is awaited.