Bukhari's killing an act of cowardice: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today condemned the killing of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar, calling it an act of cowardice.

The veteran journalist and his PSO were shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside the newspaper's office in Press Enclave near Lal Chowk, Srinagar today.

The home minister also said that he was shocked by the journalist's death.

"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," he said.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi too condoled Bukhari's family and said he was fearlessly fighting for peace in the state,
In a tweet, the saffron party leader said, "Shocked to hear about d attack on d Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar. Reprehensible n condemnable cowardly act of d terrorists (sic)"
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in a tweet said, "Deeply saddened to learn about the dastardly killing of @RisingKashmir editor #ShujaatBukhari. Such an attempt to suppress the sane voices by terrorists will never succeed."
He said, "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."