Conspiracy to kill journalist Shujaat Bukhari hatched in Pak: J&K police

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday named four men as killers of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and said they have tangible evidence to believe that the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan and carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

At a press conference, the police also released photos of the accused along with details.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir S P Pani said while a Srinagar resident based in Pakistan had started an online campaign against the slain journalist, three Lashkar militants -- Jatt, Muzaffar Ahmad and Azad Malik carried out the killing.

"There were rumours about the accused persons in the public domain after the incident. Earlier, photos of the three suspects were released. Now we have got evidence to confirm the identity of these three individuals as Azad Malik, Muzaffar Ahmad (both residents of south Kashmir) and Naveed Jatt. These three are now wanted by law," Pani said.

Identifying the fourth accused as Sajad Gul, who fled India on a passport in March last year, Pani said the investigation team will follow the due course of law to bring them to book.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Asked about the involvement of another suspect Zubair Qayoom who was arrested two days after the 14 June incident, the IGP said at this stage his role is also being investigated.

"Two things are there -- the pistol was recovered from him that he had taken from the scene of crime, two mobile phones were recovered from his possession, and he had tried to conceal his clothes and other things," he added.

Veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by 3 men, outside his office in Srinagar’s press enclave on June 14. Two of his personal security officers (PSOs) were also killed in the attack.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

(With inputs from agencies)