A Sikh man from Punjab was shot dead by unidentified militants in Srinagar on Wednesday evening—the first such targeted killing in the Valley this year. Another civilian has sustained grievous injuries in the incident.
The victim has been identified as Amritpal Singh, 31, a resident of Amritsar. Police said Singh was shot by militants from point-blank range in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar. He died on the spot.
Another migrant worker, identified as Rohit, 25, was hit by the bullets in the abdomen and has been admitted to the SMHS hospital in the city.
"Terrorists fired upon a non-local identified as Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, at Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, who succumbed to the injuries. One more person is grievously injured and evacuated for medical attention. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X.
Police have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for the terrorists.
The Valley witnessed the last targeted killing in October 2023, when a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh was shot dead by terrorists in Pulwama. The attack came in less than 24 hours after Inspector Ahmad Wani was shot by militants while playing cricket in the Eidgah area.
The terrorists had carried out several attacks on non-local workers in the Valley, including in Anantnag and Shopian districts, last year.
Parties condemn
Both the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party condemned Wednesday’s attack on the residents of Punjab.
"JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP Omar Abdullah are shocked and disgusted by the barbaric incident that took the life of Amrit Pal Singh in Shala Kadal, Srinagar. Their heartfelt condolences go out to his family," the party said.
"Violence should have no place in our society, and such acts of barbarity only serve to hinder the progress and peace we strive for," it said.
