Who was Puran Krishan Bhat, Kashmiri Pandit killed in Shopian?

Another incident of 'target killing' took place in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, when a Kashmiri Pandit Krishna Bhat was killed by militants in South Kashmir's Shopian. He died in the hospital after being shot. The 42-year-old Bhat was shot when he was in the lawn of his house at Choudhary gund area.

“Terrorists fired upon a civilian (minority) Shri Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on way to orchard in Chowdhary Gund Shopian. He was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed. Area cordoned off. Search in progress,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police tweeted.

Kashmir Freedom Fighters (KFF) has claimed responsibility for the attack. As per the Jammu and Kashmir police "Puran Krishna Bhatt was attacked by militants on Saturday at Choudhary gund in Shopian. He was going to Bagan from his home for work in the morning".

State Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has condemned the incident by tweeting from his Twitter handle. He wrote, "I assure the people that those who aid and abet criminals and terrorists will be punished severely."

Shopian DM Sachin Kumar Vaish has said, "The victim's family has demanded to bring the dead body to Jammu. Fulfilling their demand, the body is being sent to Jammu. His last rites will also be performed there. Action will be taken as it is found in the investigation.

The statement of Jammu and Kashmir DIG Sujit Kumar has come on this incident. He said, "Kashmiri Pandit Puran ji has been killed. The investigation of this matter is ongoing. Kashmir Freedom Fighters (KFF) has claimed responsibility for the incident. We can't say anything now."

DIG Sujit Kumar said, "One of our guards was present here. Puran ji had gone somewhere by scooter and when he returned he was not alone. If this incident has happened in the presence of the guard, then the matter will go not only to the guard but to every responsible officer of the area.

Kashmiri Pandit Krishna Bhat was on the way to an orchard, he was shot just outside his residence. Bhat, a Kashmiri Hindu, did not leave the Valley even as militancy peaked in the 1990s.

"According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists were not on a motorbike, but they may have kept their accomplice somewhere. The matter is under investigation.''

BJP state president Ravindra Raina said, "The conspiracy of Pakistan and the extremists will be foiled. Those conspiring to target a Kashmiri Pandit will have to bear the brunt. Conspiratorial terrorists will be thrown into the dust.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of the state and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said on this incident, "A particular community has been targeted earlier also. Of course, there is concern when the peace process stops like this. She is trying to stall the government's effort to rehabilitate extremist Kashmiri Pandits. Hopefully the security forces will find a solution."

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