Jammu, Feb 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday handed over an appointment letter toSuneeta Pandith, wife of martyr Suneel Pandith, who was killed by terrorists in Shopian.
The family members of Pandith were also present at the Raj Bhawan.
The Lt Governor assured all possible assistance from the UT Administration to the family of the martyred civilian.
On August 16 last year, Suneel Pandith, 45, was shot dead in cold blood and his younger brother Pintoo was critically wounded in a sneak attack by Wani and a masked Pakistani terrorist when the siblings were tending their orchard at Chotigam area of Shopian district in south Kashmir.
According to police, two terrorists belonging to the banned Al-Badar terrorist organization came to the orchard in the morning and lined up everyone.
After identification, they segregated Suneel Pandith and his cousin Pitambar Kumar Bhat aka Pintu Kumar and shot indiscriminately at them with their AK-47 rifles.
According to eyewitnesses and Pitambar Bhat’s statement, while one terrorist was firing indiscriminately, the other was filming the horrific incident on his smartphone.
The police spokesman said the terror incident took place around 11.30 p.m on August 16. Terrorists fired upon civilians in an apple orchard in Chotipora area of Shopian. One person died and one injured. Both belong to minority community. Injured person has been shifted to hospital,” he said.
The killing triggered widespread condemnation, even from native Kashmiris of the majority community who came in hundreds from nearby areas to pay respect and attend Nath’s last rites. Unity slogans were heard at the funeral amid calls to end the bloodshed.
In a Twitter post, Lt Governor Sinha said, “Pained beyond words on despicable terror attack on civilians in Shopian. My thoughts are with the family of Sunil Kumar. Praying for speedy recovery of injured. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone. Terrorists responsible for barbaric act will not be spared.”
Former Chief Minister and NC vice president Omar Abdullah had also called it “terribly sad news” and condemned the attack. “My condolences to the family,” he said.
Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said, “Yet another dastardly attack by coward terrorists in Shopian. We strongly condemn this heinous act of violence. My condolences to the family.”
Candlelight marches were held at several places in Kashmir valley in protest against the killing of Susheel Pandit by terrorists in Shopian district.
The marches were taken out in Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipora, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Shopian districts. People from all walks of life participated in these marches in large numbers.
The marchers condemned the killing and expressed solidarity with Pandit’s family. Various civil society groups of Srinagar also lodged a protest at the historic Lal Chowk here against the killing
