Separatist leaders condemn Bukhari's killing

Separatists in Kashmir today denounced the killing of Rising Kashmir editor and veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari, terming it a direct assault on freedom of speech and expression.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was deeply shocked, and Bukhari's death was a huge loss.

Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news of Shujaat Bukhari's killing! Such inhumanity is unpardonable and condemned in the strongest terms! Proud son of the soil his death is a huge loss, Mirwaiz wrote on Twitter.

The separatist leader said Bukhari was an erudite intellectual, a fearless journalist and "above all a selfless human".

My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Pray to almighty for his 'magfirat' (forgiveness) and place in Jannat (heaven), Mirwaiz said.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik strongly condemned the brutal killing of the senior Kashmiri Journalist.

Terming it an assault on freedom of speech and expression, the JKLF chairman said Kashmir had "lost a balanced voice at the hands of ruthless assailants and this is actually a moment of mourning for all of us.