SRINAGAR — Three civilians, including a Kashmiri Pandit businessman, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in separate incidents in the Valley on Tuesday.
In the first incident assailants fired upon the owner of Bindroo Medicate namely, Makhan Lal Bindroo near Iqbal Park in Srinagar.
A police official said 68-year-Bindroo was shot by the assailants from point-blank range while he was at his pharmacy dispensing medicines. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Bindroo was one of the few among his community who did not migrate out of Kashmir after the onset of militancy in 1990. He stayed back along with his wife to continue operating his pharmacy Bindroo Medicate.
Just a few hours later, a non-local street vendor, selling Bhelpuri, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Lal Bazar area on the outskirts of Srinagar city. The deceased was identified as Virender Paswan, a resident of Bihar.
In the third attack of the day, unidentified gunmen shot dead a civilian in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. A police official said that the gunmen fired upon one Mohammad Shafi (President of Sumo Cab Association, Naidkhai) at Shahgund, Hajin.
Meanwhile, several political leaders including former Chief Minister’s of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned the killing of Makhan Lal Bindroo.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a series of tweets expressed shock over killings and said, “What terrible news! He was a very kind man. I’ve been told he never left during the height of militancy and remained with his shop open. I condemn this killing in the strongest possible terms & convey my heartfelt condolences to his family. God bless his soul”.
“Another targeted attack in Srinagar. A poor non local handcart stall owner selling golguppas has been shot & has reportedly succumbed to his injuries. No words of condemnation are enough. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.
He further said, “Mohd Shafi Lone of Naidkhai becomes the third casualty this evening. He was shot dead a short while ago in Bandipore district of North Kashmir. Even the words of condemnation & condolence after these militant attacks start to sound hollow. May Allah grate the deceased Jannat.”
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party Chief condemned the killing of Bindroo and said, “Condemn the killing of Shri M L Bindroo who chose to stay back in Kashmir even during peak insurgency. Such acts of violence have no place in our society. May his family find the strength to deal with this loss.”
Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone condemned the killing of Bindroo and tweeted, “The fatal attack against the owner of Bindroo medicates is outrageous and unacceptable. I knew the gentleman personally. He never left the valley. And terrorists made him pay for that. May he live in peace”.
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said he had no words to condemn such a heinous and shameful act. “His unfortunate death has sent shockwaves. No words to condemn such a heinous andc shameful act. This is indeed an irreparable loss for the whole society,” he said.