Popular eatery Krishna Dhaba owner's son shot in Srinagar
The son of the owner of popular food joint Krishna Dhaba, located in a high-security area of Srinagar, was shot at by terrorists from a close range and critically wounded on Wednesday evening, police said. The victim, Akash Mehra, was immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital where his condition was stated to be stable, they said, adding that the doctors were still monitoring his condition.
Banned terror outfit claims responsibility
Officials said banned terror outfit Muslim Janbaz Force has claimed responsibility, and police are looking at CCTV footage after some eyewitnesses claimed the terrorists ran away. The eatery, located in Durganag area has several high-profile installations like the office of UN Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan and the residence of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice located within 200 meters of it.
Attack happened amidst envoys' visit to the Union Territory
The attack comes on a day when envoys including those from several European Union countries and a few Organization of Islamic Countries' member states began a two-day visit to J&K to get a first-hand account of the newly formed Union Territory's situation, especially after the recent local body elections. The envoys are putting up in a hotel barely two kilometers from the attack site.
Political leaders expressed anguish over the incident on Twitter
Violence is never the answer: Mehbooba Mufti
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said she was "deeply saddened by the attack on Krishna Dhaba at Sonawar in Srinagar," and extended her sympathies to the injured and his family. "Violence is never the answer," she added. Former Minister and People's Conference leader Sajad Lone acknowledged Krishna Dhaba as an iconic eating place and expressed disappointment at this attack.
A similar act was committed last time envoys were here
During a private visit of the first batch of envoys to the Union Territory in October 2019, terrorists had shot dead five migrant laborers hailing from West Bengal in Shopian.
Second attack on non-Kashmiri residents after abrogation of Article 370
This is the second attack on non-Kashmiri residents in the city after the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in January, a jeweler, Satpal, settled in Kashmir for the last five decades, was shot dead. The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
