Srinagar:Veteran journalist and Chief Editor  Rising Kashmir  Syed Shujaat Bukhari and his PSO were shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper’s office in the heart of this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, police officials said today.

Senior journalist, Writer and Chief Editor of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by three to four unidentified gunmen at the Press Enclave in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

While Bukhari was rushed to the hospital almost immediately, he succumbed to his injuries. Two of his personal security officers (PSO), who were there with him, were killed also in the attack.

Bukhari, who was in his 50s, was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials said.

Who was Syed Shujaat Bukhari?

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a message that she was shocked and saddened by Bukhari’s “sudden demise”.

“The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family,” the chief minister said on Twitter.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh called it an attempt to silence one of the ‘saner voices’.

He wrote on Twitter: “The killing of @RisingKashmir 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 at his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family.”

Terrorism, she said, has hit a new low with Bukhari’s killing, “that too on the eve of Eid”. “We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done,” Mehbooba said.

I&B Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rahtore also expressed his condolences saying: “Assassination of #ShujaatBukhari is a brutal attack on freedom of press. A cowardly and deplorable act of terror. Our fearless media is one of the greatest strength of our democracy and we are committed to provide a safe and conducive working environment to media persons.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condemned the killing, saying he had a brave heart.

He wrote: “I’m anguished to hear about the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of @RisingKashmir. He was a brave heart who fought fearlessly for justice and peace in Jammu & Kashmir. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.”

Media Fraternity in shock as  Senior journalist, Writer and Chief Editor of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by three to four unidentified gunmen along with Two of his Personn at the Press Enclave in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter: “Saddened and shocked at the brutal killing of respected editor and senior journalist @bukharishujaat With a few hours to go for Eid this is terrible. No words are enough for this big tragedy.”

A statement issued by the Guild, “Bukhari was a voice of moderation and a courageous, big-hearted editor who mentored a large cadre of young journalists from Kashmir.”

The Guild also called upon the government of Jammu and Kashmir to take urgent steps to bring to book the culprits and ensure the safety and security of media personnel in the state.