Kashmir pays tribute to 'Rising Kashmir' editor Shujaat Bukhari

The funeral of Veteran journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen, will be performed at around 11 am of Friday. Braving heavy rain, crowds of tearful mourners from across the Valley followed the cortege through the streets of this sleepy hamlet in Baramulla district.

Shujaat Bukhari and his two personal security officers (PSOs) were gunned down by unidentified gunmen at Press colony in Srinagar on Thursday evening.

Amongst those who took part in the last rites of the journalist and visited his ancestral home to condole with the family were opposition leader Omar Abdullah and ministers from the PDP and the BJP.

The attack, on the eve of Eid, came amid discussions over extension of Ramzan ceasefire by security forces in Kashmir. Bukhari was given police protection after an attack on him in 20006.

A day after murder, Rising Kashmir says, 'Won't be cowed down by cowards'

The newspaper writes this morning: "You left all too sudden but you will always be our leading light with your professional conviction and exemplary courage. We won't be cowed down by the cowards who snatched you from us. We will uphold your principle of telling the truth however unpleasant it may be... Rest in Peace!"