Terrorists shot dead person from minority community in Shopian

Srinagar, Oct 15: Terrorists on Saturday shot dead a person from a minority community in the ChoudryGund area of Shopian district in south Kashmir, officials said
The victim was identified as Pooran Krishan Bhat, son of Darkinath Bhat, resident of the Chowdary Gund area of Shopian.
A senior official told Rising Kashmir that pistol-borne terrorists shot dead a minority community member in Shopian village outside his home.
“He was fired from a point-blank range and had multiple bullet injuries and was critically injured,” he said.
The official said terror outfit Al-Badr has claimed responsibility for the attack and a pistol was used in the terror crime.
A police spokesman said terrorists shot dead a civilian belonging to a minority community in the Chowdary Gund area of Shopian.
Senior Police officers along with reinforcement reached the terror crime spot, he said.
He said around 12:50 PM on Saturday, terrorists fired upon a civilian belonging to a minority community identified as Pooran Krishan Bhat son of Darkinath Bhat while he was on his way to the orchard in Chowdary Gund in District Shopian.
“In this terror crime incident, he had received critical gunshot injuries and was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and initiated an investigation.
“Officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of the terror crime while the whole area has been cordoned off with the help of reinforcement and search in the area is going on, the spokesman said.
As per locals, the slain Pooran was an apple grower by profession and is survived by two minor children, an 11-year-old daughter, and 8-year son. His wife and two children are in Jammu.
Abdul Rashid, a local told Rising Kashmir that the terror incident took place at around 12:45 pm when the slain was going out towards his orchard, which is merely 500-700 meters away from his village.
“We heard gunshots and rushed towards his home where Pooran was lying in a pool of blood. We shifted him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” he said.
Rashid said the entire village is shocked by this incident. We were living with harmony for decades but such incidents are highly condemnable,” he said.
Following the incident, the area was cordoned off to nab the attackers and security has been beefed up in the area.
Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed in Jammu, where the family members of slain were seen in deep shock and devastated by the incident.
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.
Deputy Commissioner of Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, said Bhat’s body will be taken to Jammu where the last rites will be performed. “All arrangements are being made. We are extending help to the family.”
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha condemned the killing.
“Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished,” Sinha tweeted. Inputs from PTI