SRINAGAR: Separatists Leadership  denounced the killing of Rising Kashmir Chief Editor and Veteran journalist Syed Shujaat Bukhari, terming it a direct assault on freedom of speech and expression.

Condemning the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor Rising Kashmir group of publications by unknown gunmen in Srinagar, All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman (G) Syed Ali Geelani said that it is against the moral and human ethics to kill a person without any justification. Regretting such mysterious killings the Hurriyat leader said difference of opinion is no way a crime to kill a person. Geelani Sahab, while paying his condolences to the bereaved family of the young journalist, prayed for his eternal peace.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was deeply shocked, and Bukhari’s death was a huge loss.

“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 wrote on Twitter.

The separatist leader said Bukhari was an erudite intellectual, a fearless journalist and “above all a selfless human”.

“My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Pray to almighty for his ‘magfirat’ (forgiveness) and place in Jannat (heaven),” Mirwaiz said.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik strongly condemned the brutal killing of the senior Kashmiri Journalist.

Terming it an assault on freedom of speech and expression, the JKLF chairman said Kashmir had “lost a balanced voice at the hands of ruthless assailants and this is actually a moment of mourning for all of us.”