'Solidly Behind The Family In Hour Of Crisis': Muslim Neighbours Condemn Terrorist Attack On Kashmiri Pandit

Bal Krishan Bhat, a resident of Chhotagam village in South Kashmir's Shopian district, was injured by terrorists on Monday evening.

Soldier with machine gun and camouflage uniform (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: Muslim neighbours of a Kashmiri Pandit who was shot by terrorists said on Tuesday that they stood firmly with the family in this hour of crisis. 

Bal Krishan Bhat, a resident of Chhotagam village in South Kashmir's Shopian district, was injured by terrorists on Monday evening. 

Bhat, a medical store operator by profession, did not leave the valley even during the displacement of Pandits from Kashmir. Balji was living in Kashmir for the last 30 years and now after the attack, Bhat's family received immense support from his Muslim neighbours. 

The region is a hotbed of militancy and is viewed as a fortress of the stronghold of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"We have lived here all along and never left the place. I will add that we have never felt threatened," Bal Krishan Bhat's brother Anil Bhat told PTI.

"We don't know what is in store for us, All our neighbours are very nice, but how will we counter the threat of gun. We will decide on our future course only after my brother returns from hospital," 32-year-old Anil Bhat said.

On Tuesday, countless neighbours visited the Bhat family and communicated their support to them.

"The moment I heard gunshots and cries, I rushed out along with my nephew and friends. We drove Sonu (Bal Krishan Bhat) to Shopian," said Mukhthair Ahmed Lone, a neighbour.

After Bhat was taken to the Army facility, Lone and his whole family set up camp at the Bhat family. "Sonu and I grew up together and there is no difference between us at all. We are one and, inshallah, we will always remain one," Lone said.

Fayaz Ahmed, another neighbour, said Sonu is preferred by everybody in the town as he would open his shop even after 12 PM to help individuals if there should arise an occurrence of any health-related crisis.

Pandit Janki Nath Bhat, the father of Bal Krishan, communicated with the neighbours who visited their home on Tuesday. The neighbours begged the family not to leave the valley.

"There are many who will want us to pull in different directions but let us say this with all firmness that we were, are and shall always remain one," G Rasool Mir said at the Bhat residence.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police, meanwhile, has given security to the Kashmiri Pandit families after Monday's assault, for which The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the restricted Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.

"We have already provided security in several villages where minority communities are residing. Some villages are still without security but the regular area domination exercise is being done by police and security forces jointly," Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) Vijay Kumar told PTI.

He said the police force was endeavoring to capture or kill feared terrorists associated with this terror crime and added that there is no need to panic.

"Our war against terrorism is going as per our plan. Such incidents are frustration of terrorists especially their handlers across the border," he said.

(With PTI inputs)