Srinagar: Three civilians including the owner of prominent chemist shop, a non-local vendor and a cab driver were shot dead in separate incidents within an hour in Srinagar and Bandipora districts on Tuesday evening.
“Terrorists fired upon Owner of Bindroo Medicate namely Shri Makhan Lal Bindroo near Iqbal Park #Srinagar. He was shifted to hospital where he #succumbed to his injuries. Area cordoned off & search to nab the terrorists is going on,” a police spokesman tweeted after the incident.
Bindroo, 68, was shot by the assailants from point-blank range while he was at his pharmacy dispensing medicines, a police official said, adding that he was shifted to SMHS Hospital with multiple injuries, where he was declared brought dead.
Medical Superintendent SMHS Hospital Dr. Kanwar Jeet Singh said that Lal had four bullet wounds.
Within an hour, a non-local street vendor, identified as Virender Paswan, was shot dead in Hawal area of downtown Srinagar, an official said.
Paswan — a resident of Bihar, who lived in a rented accommodation at Alamgari Bazar area — used to sell bhelpuri, was also shot at point blank and died on the spot, he said.
Within minutes of the second killing, a third civilian Mohammad Shafi Lone alias Sonu was shot dead in Shahgund, Hajin area of Bandipora district, the officials said.
Lone was the president of Sumo Drivers Association, Naidkhai. “He had gone to Shahgund to meet his relative,” sources said.
Pertinently, all three civilians were killed within a span of one hour.
Condemning the killings, National Conference president, Member Parliament from Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said: “I’m extremely heartbroken to hear about the dastardly killing of noted businessman ML Bindroo ji, Mohammad Shafi Lone of Naidkhai Bandipora and a non-local Virender Paswan.
“The heart-wrenching mindless violence has saddened me. Such barbarism should be denounced downrightly at all levels. There is no humanity found in those who have orchestrated the bloodbath. Yet another childhood has been lost. Yet another family has to live in pain for perpetuity. There is no humanity to be found within those who perpetrate such heinous acts of inhuman, outrageous, and thunderous violence,” he said.
NC vice-president Omar Abdullah said that no words are strong enough to condemn the dastardly acts of violence.
“Such deplorable acts only leave behind a trail of pain and suffering. No amount of condemnation is enough to censure such acts of violence. Even the words of condemnation after such attacks sound hollow. This is the handiwork of enemies of peace and humanity. May all those who have fallen prey to the wanton act of barbarism find eternal peace. I also pray for fortitude to bereaved families to bear the inconsolable loss,” he said.
About Bindroo’s killed, he had earlier tweeted: “What terrible news! He was a very kind man. I’ve been told he never left during the height of militancy and remained with his shop open. I condemn this killing in the strongest possible terms & convey my heartfelt condolences to his family. God bless his soul.”
People’s Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone also condemned the killing.
“The fatal attack against the owner of Bindroo medicates is outrageous and unacceptable. I knew the gentleman personally. He never left the valley. And terrorists made him pay for that. May he live in peace,” Lone tweeted.
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said he had no words to condemn such a heinous and shameful act.
“His unfortunate death has sent shockwaves. No words to condemn such a heinous and shameful act. This is indeed an irreparable loss for the whole society,” he said.
BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur describing the deceased as “pro-poor”, saying Bindroo was a helpful and sober person who always cared for poor.
“Those behind the killing of Bindroo have no religion as the killing of unarmed persons is never justified in any religion. I express my solidarity with the family members of Bindroo and urge police to expose and punish his killers, sooner the better,” Thakur said.
