Shujaat’s killers identified: Police

Srinagar, Jun 28: Police on Thursday said it has identified four people, allegedly including three LeT militants, involved in the murder of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari earlier this month.
Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of Police (IGP), SP Pani, said “The conspiracy to kill Shujaat was hatched in Pakistan and executed by LeT in Kashmir.”
“We have been maintaining that it was a terror crime. The investigation by Special Investigation Team (SIT) including SSP Srinagar and a team of officers with the cooperation of service providers and tangible evidence collected, revealed the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan,” he said.
The IGP identified four accused including LeT militants Muzafar Ahmad of Sopat Kulgam, Azad Ahmad Malik of Anantnag, and Naveed Jatt of Pakistan who escaped from police custody, and Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a resident of Srinagar now settled in Pakistan.
He said, “The conspiracy included series of social media campaigns by social media handles operated in Pakistan.”
“Sajjad Gul, who previously was arrested by police in New Delhi in 2003, and in 2016 by Srinagar police for terror cases, is also involved in a hate campaign against Shujaat Bukhari. He fled from the country on a fraudulent passport in March 2017.”
“We investigated about the social media campaign, which composed of six intimidating posts in public domain. It was established that the Facebook page with name Kadwa Sach and Twitter handle under name Ahmad Khaliq, updated malicious posts against Shujaat Bukhari functioned from Pakistan,” Pani said.
He said the three LeT militants whose pictures were earlier released by the police had murdered Shujaat.
“We earlier released the pictures of suspected LeT militants and now we have credible evidence about their involvement in the crime. These four individuals are wanted by law and rest will be revealed after charge sheet will be framed,” Pani said.
The IGP said the police has issued a lookout notice to apprehend the accused.
He said the police would approach courts to get non-bailable warrants against the accused.
“We will press for Red Corner Interpol Notice against the accused from Pakistan.”
Regarding the arrest of fourth individual Zubair Quyoom of Srinagar, the police said, “His role was being investigated by the police”.
“He stole two mobile phones and a pistol from the scene of crime. He later concealed clothes. His role is being investigated by the police now,” the IGP said.