PDP sarpanch killed by militants on the outskirts of Srinagar in J&K

Militants fired at Sameer Ahmad Bhat, a People's Democratic Party (PDP) sarpanch at his home in Khonmoh area outside of Srinagar.

Soon after Bhat's killing at Khnomoh, a joint team of police, army and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area to try and arrest the militants responsible for the killing. (Representational)

Suspected militants shot at and killed a sarpanch on the outskirts of Srinagar city on Wednesday evening.

Militants fired at Sameer Ahmad Bhat, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) sarpanch at his home in Khonmoh area outside of Srinagar.

Police sources said that Bhat was critically injured as he received two bullets in his chest. He was immediately shifted to the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, where doctors operated him. But despite the best efforts, Bhat couldn’t survive and succumbed at the hospital.

Bhat is the second representative of the grassroot democracy who has been killed in a week.

On March 2, suspected militants shot at and killed a panch in South Kashmir. Mohammad Yaqoob Dar, an independent panch, was killed at Kolpora village of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Soon after Bhat’s killing at Khnomoh, a joint team of police, army and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area to try and arrest the militants responsible for the killing.

The mainstream political parties have condemned Bhat’s killing.

The Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference has termed the killing as “dastardly and despicable act of violence”. “Peoples Conference unreservedly condemns killing of Sarpanch Sameer Ahmed Bhat in a dastardly and despicable act of violence,” the party said in a release. “The party expresses profound grief and extends sympathy with his family and loved ones”.

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Srinagar Mayor and Apni Party leader Junaid Azim Mattu has also condemned Bhat’s killing.

“Deeply saddened by the killing of Sarpanch Khonmoh-C, Srinagar Sameer Ahmed Bhat by terrorists at Khonmoh a short while back. Knew Sameer personally. An educated young man, he was passionate about public service. My condolences to his family. His sacrifice won’t be in vain,” Mattu tweeted.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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