Srinagar
The killing of journalist Syed Shujaat Bukhari was widely condoled on Thursday

“The killing of RisingKashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari is an act of cowardice. It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir. He was a courageous and fearless journalist. Extremely shocked and pained at his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family,” tweeted Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Governor NN Vohra conveyed shock and grief on the gruesome killing. Recalling Bukhari’s standing as a veteran journalist, the Governor described his murder as a big loss to the media fraternity.

In a message, he prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family. He also called Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, Cabinet Minister and Shujaat’s brother, to convey his heartfelt sympathy.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, “Terrorism has hit a new low with Shujaat’s killing, that too on the eve of Eid. We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done.”

In a statement, the Chief Minister said the role and contribution rendered by Shujaat in institutionalisation the media had become part of the journalistic history of the state. “One would always see him raising issues of common cause concerning people. He would often fight for the issues of people through his columns and various discussions, but alas, this voice of people stands brutally silenced today,” she said.

The Chief Minister also visited the hospital and paid respects to the departed soul. She also conveyed her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

GA Mir, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president, described the incident as cowardly and shameful act.

Strongly condemning the incident, the JKPCC president expressed anguish over the attack on the senior journalist and emphasised the government to ascertain the identity of the attackers for severe punishment.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, moderate Hurriyat chairman, also condemned the killing of the journalist.