Srinagar: A Kashmiri Pandit working as a security guard at a bank was shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama Sunday morning, police said.
This is the first civilian killing in Kashmir this year.
Police said militants fired upon a minority community member Sanjay Sharma son of Kashinath Sharma, a resident of Achan Pulwama this morning when he was on way to a local market.
“The injured was shifted to hospital, however, he succumbed to his injuries”, police said.
The entire area was cordoned off and a massive search was launched to track down the militants responsible for the attack.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, South Kashmir range, Rayees Muhammad Bhat said those involved in the killing will be tracked soon.
“We are acting swiftly and investigating the matter. The terrorists involved in this heinous crime will be tracked down and neutralized soon,” Bhat told media persons.
The killing sparked widespread condemnation.
Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), a group of non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits alleged that BJP government can’t handle the situation.
“Govt and BJP4India canot handle 75 lakh Kashmiri Population and want to control PoK and Balochistan. Kashmiri Pandits are killed like dogs in Kashmir and @HMO India and @office of LG J&K sensor the information that Kashmir most dangerous place for KPs in this world,” a tweet by the KPSS read.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti said the vicious cycle of killings doesn’t seem to end.
She said “Government of India has failed to protect minorities in J&K & reduced them to sitting ducks”.
Everyone here is paying a heavy price for this facade of normalcy, Mehbooba said.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killing.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his beloved one”, National Conference Vice president Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.
CPIM leader M Y Tarigami said “Condemning in no uncertain terms the killing of Sanjay Pandith in Pulwama. The unfortunate incident has again raised the spectre of last year’s despicable targeted killings in the Valley. Sharing the pain and grief of the bereaved family”.
BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the militants have once again shown that human lives don’t matter to them.
“Condemning the killing of Sanjay Pandith of Achan, the terrorists have once again shown that human lives don’t matter to them.
The culprits will be taken to task soon. Nobody will be allowed to disrupt peace,” Thakur said.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari said the perpetrators of this brutal crime must be nabbed and brought to justice.”
