Srinagar, Oct 16: A day after, a civilian from minority community was shot dead by terrorists in the ChoudaryGund village of Shopian, locals termed his killing as “cold-blooded murder” and stated culprits behind the crime should be punished.
On Saturday afternoon, Pooran Krishan Bhat, son of Darkinath Bhat, a resident of the Chowdary Gund Shopian was shot dead by two pistol-borne terrorists outside his home.
As per Police, the terror outfit Al-Badr has claimed responsibility for the attack, and a pistol was used in the terror crime.
Ghulam Nabi, a local told Rising Kashmir that Krishan Bhat was helpful to everyone in the locality.
He termed his killing as “cold-blooded murder”.
“He was humble and an innocent person who was doing fruit business for decades,” said Nabi.
Questioning the reason behind the killing, Nabi said, “I don’t understand why he was killed! He was running a whole family of five. I do not know whom to question and blame here.”
Nabi said, “It is painful to see them. Why they (gunmen) killed him. He had not killed or harmed anybody in his entire life. Over the past 30 years, they have never uttered a single word against the political situation in the valley.”
“His killing has put the entire village in shock, he said.
The 56-year-old, Krishan Bhat is survived by his 41-year-old wife, a daughter, and a son. His children are still in school with his son in class VII and his daughter is in class V.
Shahid Ahmad, another local said 15 to 16 minority families were living peacefully in the village and they did not leave Kashmir during the 1990s and stayed here.
“Often during the winters, some families would visit Jammu and later during summers they used to come back. There is peace and harmony in the village and this terror incident has shocked the entire community,” he said.
Ahmad said slain Bhat was the lone bread earner of the house. He was earning for his poor family. We never thought he would be snatched like this. He was innocent and had done nothing wrong,” he said.
“Whosoever is behind this killing should be punished as per the law. We all are in entire shock. It is a brutal murder and we condemn this inhuman act,” Shahid added.
Bhat’s dead body was brought to his residence in Jammu on Saturday late evening. Hundreds of People attended his last rites and demanded strict action the culprits.
On Saturday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killing and assured that the perpetrators will be severely punished.
“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,” he said in a tweet.
DIG Sujit Kumar said the initial investigation has revealed that one terrorist fired upon Bhat.
“There was security, our guard, for this cluster. We are looking at the reason (for the lapse). He had gone out on a scooter and just returned to his home,” he added.
Kumar said in case of any lapse, action will be taken against the security guards and the in-charge officials in the area. Investigations are underway and more details will be made public once things become clear, the police officer said.
