Terrorists shoot dead Sikh man in Srinagar, 1 injured; leaders condemn attack

Srinagar, Feb 7 (PTI) In the first targeted killing of the year, terrorists on Wednesday shot dead a worker from Punjab while another sustained injuries in Habba Kadal area of the city, officials said here.

Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was shot by the terrorists from point blank range and Shalla Kadal locality in Habba Kadal around 7 pm, the officials said.

They said Singh died on the spot while another non-local worker identified as Rohit, aged 25, sustained injuries in the incident.

Rohit also hails from Amritsar. He was hit by the bullets in the abdomen and is undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital here.

In a post on X, Kashmir Zone Police said, "Terrorists fired upon a non-local identified as Amritpal Singh resident of Amritsar at Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, who succumbed to the injuries. One more person is grievously injured and evacuated for medical attention. Area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow." The police have taken cognisance of the incident and cordoned off the area to track down the assailants.

National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah condemned the attack on the non-locals.

"JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah are shocked and disgusted by the barbaric incident that took the life of Amrit Pal Singh in Shala Kadal, Srinagar. Their heartfelt condolences go out to his family," the party said in a social media post.

"Violence should have no place in our society and such acts of barbarity only serve to hinder the progress & peace we strive for," the post added.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the "dastardly attack" and prayed for swift recovery of the injured person.

People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also condemned the attack.

This is the first attack by terrorists on a non-local in Kashmir this year.

Last year, the terrorists carried out several attacks on non-local workers in valley including in Anantnag and Shopian districts.

While a circus worker from Udhampur district was shot dead by terrorists on May 30 in the Anantnag district, brick kiln worker Mukesh Kumar from Bihar was shot dead by them on October 31 in Pulwama district. Three labourers were injured in an attack by the terrorists in the Gagren area of Shopian district on July 13. PTI