SRINAGAR — The Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory including former chief ministers have condemned the killing of Kashmiri pandit Pooran Krishan Bhat at Chaudrigund village in Shopian district of South Kashmir on Saturday.
The Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha in a tweet said, “Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by militants 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 militants will be severely punished.”
The National Conference (NC) condemned the brazen and cowardly attack and expressed heartfelt commiserations with Bhat’s family.
The party’s vice president Omar Abdullah termed the attack reprehensible. “I unequivocally condemn this attack in which Pooran Krishan Bhat has lost his life. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family. May Pooran Ji’s soul rests in peace,” he said in a tweet.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said while the Kashmiri pandits have been protesting for the last five months demanding their relocation after Rahul Bhat was shot dead in May, the “LG administration in their hubris kept turning a blind eye to their plight”.
“Today yet another Kashmiri Pandit, Puran Krishan, was shot dead in Shopian. Thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,” the party said.
Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the KP’s killing and said he is pained beyond words.
In a tweet, Azad said, “Pained beyond words to hear the news about militant attack on Kashmiri Pandit P.K.Bhat in Shopian, J&K today. I strongly condemn this heinous act of violence. My thoughts are with the family of Puran Krishan Bhat. May the departed soul rest in peace.”
CPI (M) leader MY Tarigami said the government must ensure foolproof security for the minorities in the Kashmir Valley.
“Pained beyond words by the despicable attack which snuffed out the life of Puran Krishan Bhat. There does not seem any letup in the killing of innocent people. The government must ensure foolproof security to the minorities,” he tweeted.
The Peoples Conference (PC) said there can never be a justification for attacks like these.
“We unequivocally condemn the attack on Pooran Krishan Bhat of Choudry Gund area in South Kashmir in which he lost his life. There can never be a justification for attacks like these. May his soul rest in peace & may his family find strength during this difficult time,” the party said in a tweet.
The party’s spokesperson said, “condemn the ghastly killing of Puran Krishan Bhat in Shopian. Recurring targeted attacks on civilians/soft targets esp on Pandit brothers is a disturbing trend, keeps the pot boiling. It has turned into an unending vicious cycle.”
He said that such senseless violence has already devastated thousands of families & shattered countless dreams. We can’t afford to keep losing our people to the gun. It is the govt’s responsibility to provide a sense of security to its citizens. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Unequivocally condemn the attack on Pooran Krishan Bhat in Shopian. My heartfelt condolences to his family. This is a dastardly act of cowardice. May his soul rest in peace.”
BJP General Secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul also condemned the killing and offered his condolences to the family.
He said, “these anti-national elements will never be successful. These things will not be tolerated anymore as these attacks are aimed to disturb the peace in the region.” — (KIMS)