Jammu, June 14:  Several leaders from the political arena condoled the death of veteran journalist and 'Rising Kashmir' Editor Shujaat Bukhari, who was shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar city on Thursday evening. The veteran journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper’s office in the heart of this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital.

For the unversed, Bukhari 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.

An anguished Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti broke down while denouncing the "mindless" killing of veteran journalist Bukhari.  Mufti expressed shocked and said she was deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shujaat Bukhari. "This is really shocking. He came to meet me a few days back. This is upsetting", she said.

Mufti further added saying that the scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. "Strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. Deepest condolences to his family", Mufti added.

Union Home Minister too condoled Bukhari's death and said that killing of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari is an act of cowardice. "It is an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir. He was a courageous and fearless journalist. Extremely shocked & pained. My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family", Rajnath said.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said he is anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of Rising Kashmir. "He was a brave heart who fought fearlessly for justice and peace in Jammu & Kashmir. My condolences to his family. He will be missed", Rahul tweeted.

BJP's National General Secretary Ram Madhav too took to Twitter to condole Bukhari's death. "Shocked to hear about d attack on d Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar. Reprehensible n condemnable cowardly act of d terrorists", Madhav tweeted.

Meanwhile, Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah tweeted his last message to him and expressed deep shock over his untimely death. "My last DM exchange with Shujaat Bukhari. I can’t believe the mulaqat we were going to fix will never take place now. Life is just too uncertain & often too unkind", he tweeted.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman also condemned the killing of Shujaat Bukhari saying the act was unpardonable. “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news of Shujaat Bukhari’s killing! Such inhumanity is unpardonable and condemned in the strongest terms! Proud son of the soil his death is a huge loss,” Mirwaiz tweeted.

According to reports, Bukhari, who was in his 50s was shot by 3-4 armed men while he was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an iftar party. While one of the personal security officers (PSO) guarding him was killed, another policeman and a civilian were injured, they added. The condition of the two injured in the shooting, which comes a day ahead of Eid, is critical, they said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2018 09:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).