Targetted Killing In J&K: Kashmiri Pandit Shot Dead Near His House In Pulwama

A Kashmir Pandit, namely Sanjay Sharma, has succumbed to injuries after terrorists fired upon him while he was on his way to the local market in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.

Kashmir pandit shot dead in Pulwama by terrorists ( Image Source :ANI | Twitter )

In yet another case of target killing in Jammu and Kashmir, a 40-year-old civilian was shot dead by terrorists while he was on his way to the local market in Pulwama. As per PTI, the victim, identified as Sanjay Sharma, is a Kashmiri Pandit.

The locals took him to a hospital where Sharma succumbed to bullet injuries. According to PTI, police said that Sanjay Sharma, who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district at around 11 am.

DIG Rayees Mohammad Bhat said that hunt is on to nab the attackers. "The incident took place around 10:30 am. Terrorists fired upon a member of a minority community when he was going towards a market along with his wife. We are searching for the terrorist and we will neutralise them as early as possible," he told ANI.

The incident took place around 10:30am. Terrorists fired upon a member of a minority community when he was going towards a market alongwith her wife. We are searching for the terrorist and we will neutralise them as early as possible: Rayees Mohammad Bhat, DIG pic.twitter.com/Jncasa57J5

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2023

Kashmir Police tweeted, "Terrorists fired upon one civilian from the minority namely Sanjay Sharma from Pulwama while on way to the local market.  He was shifted to hospital however, he succumbed to injuries. There was Armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow."

Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma
S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market. He was shifted to hospital however, he succumbed to injuries. There was Armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow.

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) February 26, 2023

#BREAKING | जम्मू कश्मीर के पुलवामा में आतंकी हमला

- बैंक के सुरक्षा गार्ड की गोली मारकर हत्या @aparna_journo | @qasifm | https://t.co/p8nVQWYM7F#JammuKashmir #TerrorAttack #Pulwama #Targetedkilling pic.twitter.com/Gz2IMjA5Z2

— ABP News (@ABPNews) February 26, 2023

As per local inputs, the deceased was a security guard in a private bank. There are reported to be two assailants who fired upon him. Sanjay Sharma is said to have been shot at close quarters.

Police have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to nab the attackers.

The deceased worked as an ATM guard in a bank but was not reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said as quoted by PTI.

Reacting to the incident, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet, "Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones." 

Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. 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.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2023

NC's chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the killing, saying it was an unfortunate incident. As per the PTI report, he said, "As the majority community, we should ensure the protection of the minorities," adding that the government has failed to do so.

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing and launched an attack on the BJP saying that these incidents only benefit the saffron party.

According to ANI, she said, "These incidents only benefit BJP whether it is in Haryana or Kashmir. BJP failed in protecting the lives of minorities here. They only use minorities to show normalcy in the valley."

"BJP uses these types of incidents to degrade the image of Muslims in the country. I condemn this act. This is not the behaviour of the Kashmiri people. All these acts show the failures of the Government," she added.

The attack follows a series of targetted killings that have been taking place in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since last year. In August 2022, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead and his brother injured after militants opened fire at them in the Shopian. The deceased was identified as Sunil Kumar and his injured brother as Pintu Kumar.

In a similar incident, a migrant labourer from Bihar was shot dead in the Sumbal town of Bandipora district. Another labourer from Bihar was also killed and two injured in a grenade attack at Pulwama’s Gadoora on August 4.

A teacher, Rajni Bala, was also shot dead by terrorists in May last year.

(Inputs From Asif Qureshi)