Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have finally succeeded in a getting a lead into the murder case of renowned journalist and editor-in-chief of The Rising Kashmir – Shujaat Bukhari – on Friday. The state police have confirmed that they have taken the fourth suspect into custody and handed over the case to Special Investigation Team.
Briefing the media at a press conference, S P Pani, IG Kashmir said, “A suspect has been taken into custody. At this stage we are investigating the role of the fourth suspect, who was seen picking up the weapon from the spot and vanishing.”
Pani also informed that the fourth suspect in the Shujaat Bukhari murder case has been identified. He added, “Fourth suspect in the Shujaat Bukhari has been identified. His role for the recovery of the pistol has been done. Investigation of the case is going on.”
Confirming the involvement of the fourth suspect, Pani stated the first picture was not in public domain, but the second picture was available. He said, “The first picture of the suspects were not in the public domain. The second picture was in public domain. It can be seen that he stood there, attempting to retrieve the weapon. An SIT has been formed, DIG central Kashmir is heading it.” However, Pani did confirm that it is a terror incident and a terror related crime and the state police is investigating the matter.
Shujaat Bukhari was murdered by three unknown terrorists near press colony of the state capital on the evening of Thursday. All these three terrorists have been identified and police is hunting them in and across the valley.