Terrorists killed another Kashmiri pandit in cold blood in Pulwama

Kashmiri pandit, Sanjay Sharma from Pulwama dies after being shot at by terrorists in J&K, an area cordoned off

At a time when the Union Territory administration is gearing up to welcome the fresh arrival of tourists in the coming spring season in the Kashmir valley the ghost of targeted killing has once again come to haunt the members of the minority community.

On Sunday, a non-migrant Kashmiri pandit, earning his livelihood by standing guard outside an ATM counter of Jammu and Kashmir bank, was killed by unidentified terrorists in the South Kashmir district of Pulwama. According to police, the terrorists pumped bullets into his chest from close range.

The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Sharma resident of Achan village in Pulwama district.

Sanjay was visiting the local market along with his wife at the time of the attack.

He is survived by his wife and minor kids. His elder brother Bhushan Sharma is a local priest and a popular name in the area. According to their neighbors, the family stayed back in the valley even at the peak of the militancy.

Soon after the mortal remains of Sanjay Sharma were shifted back to his home hundreds of local villagers converged there to offer condolences. A group of residents also staged a protest and shouted slogans against the perpetrators of the targeted killings.

President of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti Sanjay Tikoo in a press statement said, “we have given a hartal call against the brutalities against the Kashmiri community by the terrorists”. Tikoo said. “It is shameful for the entire UT administration headed by LG Manoj Sinha as another Kashmiri pandit has been targeted near his residence and the perpetrators managed to flee from the spot without facing any resistance.

To all print media pic.twitter.com/Rn1B9ZZlNm

— KPSS (@KPSSamiti) February 26, 2023

This is the first incident of terrorist violence where a member belonging to a minority community was targeted in broad daylight in the crowded market area since the beginning of this year.

Last year, a total of 29 civilians were killed by terrorists, including 21 locals which included three Kashmiri Pandits, and eight from other states.

A fresh wave of terror

The incident triggered a fresh wave of terror as hundreds of PM package employees have recently resumed their duties in the valley.

During the day they remain closeted inside their secured accommodation while several others who were planning to resume their duties in the valley have once again decided to stay back in the wake of the prevailing security situation.

Several hundred employees engaged by the government under the PM package have been sitting on a protest dharna in Jammu since May 12 in support of their one-point demand of relocation to a safer area away from the Kashmir valley. The dharna started after the killing of Rahul Bhat inside his office in the central Kashmir district of Budgam.

Planned attack

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), South Kashmir Range, Rayees Bhat said it was a “planned attack”.

He said armed security guards had been placed on duty in the village.

“We had security in place here as well. Under what circumstances this attack took place is a matter of investigation. We will proceed further based on what comes out of these investigations,” he added.

“We are sifting through the information that we have received so far. The terrorists involved in this crime will be soon tracked down and neutralized…. We will not allow the terrorists to succeed in their evil designs,” the DIG said.

A lesser-known terrorist outfit Kashmir Freedom Fighters has taken responsibility for the attack on a member of a Kashmiri pandit community in Pulwama.

Politicians strongly condemn the targeted killing

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack on Sanjay Kumar Sharma in Pulwama. He said the administration is standing strong with the bereaved family.

“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively,” the Lt Governor said.

“Deeply saddened… 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,” National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in THE 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

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP-led Centre of failing to protect Kashmiri pandits. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack.

Mufti accused the BJP government of endangering the lives of minorities in Kashmir while projecting a picture of normalcy in the valley.

“Any killing, especially target killing, is a matter of grave concern and condemnable. We condemn it,” former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

President of the Kashmiri Pandit sabha Jammu K K Khosa Sunday claimed there is a need to review Kashmir policy in consultation with Kashmiri Pandits and also with other stakeholders in order to establish permanent peace and normalcy in the valley.

Condemning the barbaric killing of yet another innocent member of the Kashmiri Pandit community Khosa said this is yet another case of targeted killing of minorities which has been taking place consistently for the past two years amidst threats by terrorist organizations which are working in strife-torn Kashmir.

The sabha expresses deep condolences to the bereaved family and prays for peace to the martyr’s soul. We also request that Lt.Governor Manoj Sinha provide security to his next of kin and announce adequate compensation to them. One member of the family should be provided with a government job.

Khosa said this killing has exposed the tall claims of the security establishment and the local administration that terrorism in the UT especially in Kashmir is at its fag end and complete normalcy is prevailing in the valley. This narrative is not only illogical but it also provokes the terrorists to carry out yet another attack in order to show their presence by carrying out dastardly attacks on minorities.

The security agencies, despite their good intentions and best efforts, cannot fully control the situation and it’s the common man who has to become the victim. The Kashmiri Pandit sabha appeals to the GOI and the UT government to beef up the security of the minorities living in Kashmir and ensure that no further lives are lost in this gruesome manner.

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