Srinagar, Feb 26: In yet another targeted attack on the minority community in the Kashmir valley, a Kashmiri Pandit, who reportedly worked as a bank security guard, was shot dead by terrorists in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday.The victim was immediately rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, officials said.
The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. when the victim, Sanjay Sharma, son of Kashinath Sharma, a resident of Achan, Pulwama, was on the way to a local market . The victim was working as a bank guard in the Jammu and Kashmir bank.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, (DIF) South Kashmir Rayees Muhammad Bhat said that terrorists involved in the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit Bank guard in Achan area of Litter hamlet of Pulwama will be tracked down and neutralized soon.
Talking to reporters, Bhat said the incident took place around 10:30am. The terrorists fired upon a member of a minority community when he was going towards a market along with his wife, he said.
“We are searching for the terrorists and we will neutralize them as early as possible”, he said.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar told Rising Kashmir that Lasker e Taiba terrorist is responsible for Pulwama terror incident and he will be neutralized soon.
“LeT terrorist is responsible for this terror incident. We have got some lead and neutralise terror criminals very soon,” he said.
The Kashmir zone police in a tweet said, ‘Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market. He was shifted to hospital however, he succumbed to injuries. There was Armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off,” police said.
Following the attack, police, army and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area to nab the attackers
The attack comes just two days after a civilian identified as Asif Ganai was targeted by terrorists in the Bijbehara area of South Kashmir on Friday.
Ganai however survived the attack and his condition is said to be stable. His father Ali Mohammad Ganai, a head constable with J&K Police was killed in a similarly targeted killing last January.
Security forces given free hand, says LG
The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack on Sanjay Kumar Sharma in Pulwama. He said the administration is standing strong with the bereaved family.
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively,” the Lt Governor said.
