Shujaat Bukhari, the veteran journalist, and Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir was shot dead last evening while leaving his office. The attack that left everyone in shock and grief is being condemned by media houses, political leaders, and public alike. His lifeless body was laid to rest today at his ancestral village in Baramulla.
Mr. Bukhari left his office at Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk and was on his way to an Iftar party when the attack took place. The CCTV footage released by the state police shows three men carrying a sack full of guns. Reportedly, it was a well-planned assassination as the attackers knew when Mr. Bukhari would be leaving his office.
First, the two security guards of Mr. Bukhari were shot dead before they could act or even think of anything. After that, the veteran journalist was shot multiple times from a close range. Although the CCTV footage has the image of the terrorists, they had their faces covered with masks and helmet.
The Police are investigating the case and trying to identify the suspects. The public has also been requested to help the police in identifying the attackers. In the past, he had survived three assassination attempts and in the year 2000, he was given police protection.
Shujaat Bukhari played an instrumental role in advocating for peace in Jammu & Kashmir and had also organized several conferences. His funeral had a large number of people mourning the loss of his life.
As a tribute, the newspaper Rising Kashmir published a Black & White photograph of the journalist with a strong message that read:
You left all too sudden but you will always be our leading light with your professional conviction and exemplary courage. We won’t be cowed down by the cowards who snatched you from us. We will uphold your principle of telling the truth howsoever unpleasant it may be… Rest in peace!”
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah praised the newspaper for its strong spirit and tweeted that “The show must go on.”
The show must go on. As Shujaat would have wanted it to. This is today’s @RisingKashmir issue. That Shujaat’s colleagues were able to bring out the paper in the face of insurmountable grief is a testament to their professionalism & the most fitting tribute to their late boss. pic.twitter.com/ADP70D4F1q
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 14, 2018
