A 35-year-old woman was shot dead and her 10-year-old nephew injured by terrorists in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday. According to local reports, Amreen Bhat was a TV artiste and a singer who uploaded her songs on various social media platforms.
Police claimed that the attack was conducted by three terrorists of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), police said.
“At around 1955 hrs, terrorists fired upon one lady Amreen Bhat D/o Khazir Mohd Bhat R/o Hushroo Chadoora at her home. She was shifted to hospital in injured condition where doctors declared her dead. Her 10 year old nephew who was also at home recieved bullet injury on his arm,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police tweeted.
Medical superintendent of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, Kanwarjit Singh said the woman was brought dead to the hospital. “She had a bullet shot in her neck,” he said.
In a tweet, National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said, “Shocked & deeply saddened by the murderous militant attack on Ambreen Bhat. Sadly Ambreen lost her life in the attack & her nephew was injured. There can be no justification for attacking innocent women & children like this. May Allah grant her place in Jannat.”
His party also condemned “the barbaric attack” on Bhat.
“Condemn the barbaric attack on TV artist Ambreen Bhat in the strongest possible terms. She succumbed to her injuries briefly after she was taken to the hospital. Condolences to her family & friends. Prayers for the swift recovery of her nephew who was also injured in the attack,” the NC tweeted.
BJP leader and spokesman Altaf Thakur condemned the attack.
“Yet another barbaric act of terror in Chadoora, Budgam. The inhuman face of militancy as even women aren’t being spared. Strongly denounce the cowardly act of killing of woman artist Ambreen in Chadoora and injuries to her 10-year- old nephew. Concrete steps must end the vicious cycle of violence,” said Thakur.
The Peoples Conference also condemned the attack.
“We strongly condemn the killing of TV Artist Ambreen Bhat & injuring of her 10-year-old nephew in Chadoora (Budgam) in a dastardly act of senseless violence. We express our sincere condolences to the family of Ambreen & may her soul rest in peace,” the party wrote on its Twitter handle.
Searches began after the area was cordoned off. A case has also been registered and investigated underway. Further details are awaited.
The incident comes within 24 hours after terrorists killed policeman Saifullah Qadri in the Soura (Anchar) area of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday and wounded his nine-year-old daughter.
