India Mourns Aurangzeb And Shujaat Bukhari Killings in Jammu And Kashmir on the Eve of Eid

Srinagar, June 15: On the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, India is mourning the cold blooded killings of two men from Jammu and Kashmir - one who was fighting for the nation and another fighting for peace. Indian Army jawan Aurangzeb Khan and Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari were shot dead by terrorists in two separate incidents on Thursday. Among the dead were also Ct Abdul Hameed and Ct Mumtaz Ahmad who were deployed in Bukhari's security. The last rites of Bukhari and the wreath laying ceremony of Aurangzeb took place today in the state.

Indian Army Jawan Aurangzeb Abducted, Killed, While Returning Home For Eid

On Thursday afternoon, there were reports that 44 Rashtriya Rifles jawan Aurangzeb had been abducted by terrorists in Pulwama while he was returning home for Eid. Aurangzeb, a resident of Poonch, was travelling in a passenger vehicle when he was abducted at gunpoint.

On Thursday evening, the bullet-ridden body of Aurangzeb Khan was found at Gusoo, Pulwama. He was shot in his head and neck reportedly. His family who was preparing to celebrate Eid with their son is in mourning.

Aurangzeb was abducted and killed weeks after he was part of operation that killed Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Sameer Tiger in Pulwama.

Reacting to the killing of Aurangzeb Khan, former Hammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Another piece of terrible news to add to an already horrible day. May Aurangzeb rest in peace. Allah Jannat naseeb karay."

Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari Shot Dead in Srinagar

Veteran journalist and 'Rising Kashmir' Editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by three men on a motorcycle around 7:30 pm last evening outside his office in Srinagar. Bukhari's role has been instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir Valley. He was also part of the Track II process with Pakistan. He was leaving his office in Press Enclave in Srinagar's  Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot at by three men. The police have released the CCTV footage of the three men on a motorcycle and have sought help from the public in identifying them.

On Friday, thousands of Kashmiris came out to pay their last respects to Bukhari. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also met the mourning family of Bukhari today.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who broke down on hearing the news of Bukhari's murder, tweeted, "Shocked & deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shujaat Bukhari. The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family. 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."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2018 01:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).