jj correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 26: A Kashmiri Pandit working as a security guard at a bank was shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday morning, police said.
This is the first civilian killing in Kashmir this year.
Police said militants fired upon a minority community member Sanjay Sharma son of Kashinath Sharma, a resident of Achan Pulwama this morning when he was on way to a local market.
“The injured was shifted to hospital, however, he succumbed to his injuries”, police said.
The entire area was cordoned off and a massive search was launched to track down the militants responsible for the attack.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, South Kashmir range, Rayees Muhammad Bhat said those involved in the killing will be tracked soon.
“We are acting swiftly and investigating the matter. The terrorists involved in this heinous crime will be tracked down and neutralized soon,” Bhat told media persons.
A pall of gloom descended the native village of slain Pandit.
“Sanjay was a poor man and was living here to earn his livelihood for his family which never migrated to Jammu. And whoever shot him today is a terrorist… This killing is a blot on our village,” a local resident said.
Since the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, there have been a series of attacks on Kashmiri Pandits and other members of the minority community in the Valley. Atleast 14 people belonging to minority communities, including three Kashmiri Pandits, were killed in Kashmir last year.
The latest killing has sparked widespread condemnation.
The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, while condemning the killing said the administration is standing strong with the bereaved family.
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively,” the Lt Governor said.
Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), an organization of non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits said the killing was a shame on the J&K government.
“Shame on MANOJSINHA. Yet another Non-Migrant kashmiri pandit was working as guard at ATM. Near his residence at Achan Pulwama survived by his wife and two Children,” tweeted KPSS. It added that Sharma was the brother of Bushan Lal Sharma, a priest.
“Govt. & BJP cannot handle 75 lacs kashmiri population and want to control POK & Balochistan. Kashmiri Pandits are killedlike dogs in Kashmir. @HMOIndia (Home Ministry)and @ OfficeOfLGJandK (J&K LG) sensor the information that Kashmir is most dangerous place for Kashmiri Pandits in this world,” another tweet read.
Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said he was “deeply saddened” over the killing.
“Sanjay was working as a bank security guard & was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack & send my condolences to his loved ones,” Abdullah tweeted
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti said the vicious cycle of killings doesn’t seem to end.
“The vicious cycle of killings doesnt seem to end. GOI has failed to protect minorities in J&K & reduced them to sitting ducks.Everyone here is paying a heavy price for this facade of normalcy..,” she tweeted.
BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the militants have once again shown that human lives don’t matter to them.
“Condemning the killing of Sanjay Pandith of Achan, the terrorists have once again shown that human lives don’t matter to them. The culprits will be taken to task soon. Nobody will be allowed to disrupt peace,” Thakur said.
Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone wondered what could be achieved from such killing.
“I wonder what these thugs will achieve. Killing innocents who chose to stay back or come back suits only the worst enemies of Kashmiris,” he said.
CPIM leader M Y Tarigami said the unfortunate incident has again raised the spectre of last year’s despicable targeted killings in the Valley.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari said the perpetrators of this brutal crime must be nabbed and brought to justice.” UNI
