In another instance in series of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and of non-locals in Jammu And Kashmir, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead by terrorists in the Shopian district on Saturday, officials said, NDTV reported.
Officials informed that Puran Krishan Bhat was shot at near his residence in the Chowdhary Gund area of south Kashmir district. However, doctors declared him dead when he was brought to a Shopian hospital.
Officials said that the area where the alleged killing took place has been cordoned off, and a hunt has been launched to catch the perpetrators.
A relative of Mr Bhat told NDTV that he has two school going children – a girl who studies in class 7 and a younger boy who is in class 5. “He didn’t even step out of his house, used to be indoors. We are very scared,” he was quoted as saying by NDTV.
In a similar incident on August 16, another Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead by terrorists at an apple orchard in Shopian district while his brother suffered injuries in firing.
The Kashmiri Pandit community has been protesting over their security and safety since the death of Rahul Bhat, a government employee who was killed in broad daylight by terrorists five months ago. Since Bhat’s death, reports suggest that over 5000 Kashmiri Pandit employees have not been attending their official duties due to the fear of targeted attacks. The organisations leading the cause of Kashmiri Pandits have demanded that they be shifted to Jammu for time being until the situation in valley improves.
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