Shujaat Bukhari laid to rest; police release photos of suspected killers

The Jammu and Kashmir police has formed a special investigation team to be headed by Central Kashmir DIG to investigate the murder of journalist Shujaat Bukhari.

The police also arrested Zubair, a resident of Srinagar, in the case. He picked a pistol of one of the PSOs and vanished from the scene, minutes after the killing, according to the police. However, his role in the murder is yet to be established.

The police released CCTV grabs of three suspects seen riding a bike. The driver has a helmet, while one of the pillions has the face covered with a pollution control mask. He is seen covering the face of the third suspect sitting in between with his hand and carrying rifles in a regular shopping bag.



“It is very sensational and important case. We need to understand the larger conspiracy. It is a terror incident. It is a terrorist-related crime. When the case will have substantial developments, we will share them,” said IG Police, Kashmir, Swayam Prakash Pani.

Politicians from across the spectrum and prominent civil society members were among thousands who attended the Bukhari’s funeral at his ancestral village of Kreeri in Pattan area of northern Kashmir.

Bukhari was shot dead outside his office on Thursday evening along with his two PSOs. The attackers showered a volley of bullets at the trio from three sides. Bukhari received more than 16 bullet wounds, mostly on the upper half of his body.



J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and cabinet colleagues visited Kreeri to express condolence to the family. His brother Basharat Bukhari is a cabinet minister in the government. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yaseen Malik also attended the funeral.

Almost all top police officers, bureaucrats and civil society members reached Kreeri to offer their condolences. Bukhari’s ancestral village was on mourning. In all nearby masjids, people and imams showered praises on him and condemned the killing. His two teenaged children, a boy and a girl, and his doctor wife, looked too shocked.