Kashmiri Pandit shot dead inside government office in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam

Kashmir Tigers, a little known outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack

Militants shot dead a civilian, who belonged to the minority Kashmiri Pandit community, in central Kashmir’s Budgam on Thursday evening.

According to the police, Rahul Bhat, an employee in Tehsildar office at Chadoora in Budgam, was inside the office premises when at least two gunmen opened fire from a close range.

“Bhat was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” the police said.

Police said preliminary investigation revealed that two terrorists were involved in this heinous crime and they used a pistol.

A little-known outfit, Kashmir Tigers, claimed on social media that it was responsible for the attack. However, the claim was not  immediately corroborated by the J&K police.

Kashmiri Pandits residing in Budgam and Anantnag held protest demonstrations in south Kashmir’s Anantnag demanding justice for the victim.

Kashmir witnessed a mass migration of Pandits in the 1990s in the face of raging militancy. However, over 3,800 Pandit employees have returned to the Valley in the past few years, taking up jobs under the 2008 employment package.