Kashmiri Pandit man shot dead in J&K's Shopian district
A Kashmiri Pandit man was shot dead on Saturday by suspected terrorists in the Choudhary Gund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, police said. The deceased has been identified as Puran Krishan Bhat, and he was on his way to the orchard when he was shot. This comes just two months after two Kashmiri Pandit brothers were targeted in the same district.
Why does this story matter?
J&K has been witnessing increased targeted killings since the second half of 2021. The majority of Kashmiri Pandits want to be relocated to Jammu till the situation in Kashmir improves. Nearly 40 people have been killed as a result of targeted attacks this year, including KPs and security officials. Official data said 28 migrant workers were also killed in targeted attacks since 2017.
Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the incident
Manhunt launched to nab the attackers
According to reports, Bhat was shot from point-blank range by the terrorists when he was on the way to his orchard, which injured him seriously. He was shifted to the nearby hospital immediately where he succumbed to firearm injuries. Meanwhile, security forces have cordoned off the area and a manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers, local media reported.
We are very scared, says Bhat's relative
According to NDTV, Bhat is survived by two school-aged children: a girl in class 7 and a younger child, a boy in class 5. "He didn't even step out of his house, used to be indoors. We are very scared," said a relative.
Recent killing in Shopian
According to reports, the incident happened barely two months after another Kashmiri Pandit man, Sunil Bhat, was killed by terrorists at an apple orchard in the same Shopian district on August 16. His brother Pinti Kumar was also hurt in the attack. Later, the 'Kashmir Freedom Fighters,' a branch of Al Badr, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Migrant employees held protest against the killing
Series of killings this year
Kashmir has seen a spate of targeted killings since October last year. Many of the victims were migrant laborers or Kashmiri Pandits. In May, terrorists stormed a government office in Budgam and killed 36-year-old Rahul Bhat. He was working as a government employee under a job package for his community. Notably, his killing sparked protests from the minority community in the Union Territory.
