Senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by unknown attackers in Srinagar on Thursday evening.

Shujaat Bukhari, the editor of “Rising Kashmir” was attacked when he had just stepped out of his office in Press Colony in the city. He was reportedly hit by multiple bullets fired at a close range. A security guard protecting him and his driver were also shot. One of them has died as well.

It was not immediately clear how many gunmen attacked Bukhari, who earlier worked with The Hindu newspaper as its Kashmir correspondent.

This is the first attack on a journalist in a long time in Kashmir and has shaken the entire fraternity

Shujaat Bukhari was given police protection since an attack on him in 2000. He was instrumental in organising several conferences for peace in the Kashmir valley. He was also part of the Track II process with Pakistan.

Press Club of India strongly condemns the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, Editor of Rising Kashmir, by a group of terrorists in Srinagar on Thursday evening. 

Press Club of India is shocked and saddened by this mindless terror attack that claimed the life of Shujaat Bukhari in the holy month of Ramzan. He had started his career as a young reporter with Kashmir Times and moved to The Hindu as its Kashmir correspondent in the 90s where his in-depth, analytical and objective reporting from the Valley got him recognition on the national and international level. 

Later, he established his own English daily Rising Kashmir. 

Press Club of India has time and again underlined the threat to the lives of journalists working under difficult and challenging circumstances and demanded protection for them.. Reports said that Mr. Bukhari’s two personal security guards also sustained injuries in the terror attack. 

Terror attack that took Shujaat Bukhari’s life shows that lives of journalists are not at all safe. Forces inimical to restoring peace in Kashmir Valley have silenced a voice of reason, logic and peace. 

Press Club of India deeply mourns the loss of Shujaat Bukhari’s life and extends its condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of crisis.