Srinagar, Feb 18 (UNI) Cutting across party lines, leaders of different political parties have strongly condemned attack on a civilian by gunmen in Srinagar on Wednesday evening when envoys of 23 foreign countries were in the town on a two-day visit to assess the ground situation.
Unidentified gunmen shot at and critically wounded Aakash Mehra, owner of Krishna Dhaba at high security Sonawar area in Srinagar when security forces were on high alert to prevent any law and order problem during the visit of foreign delegation.
Former Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah taking to micro blogging site Twitter said, “ Very sorry to hear about the attack on the Krishna Dhaba in Srinagar, these attacks are unacceptable”.
“I hope the injured person who is himself associated with the dhaba & is undergoing treatment in a city hospital makes a complete & speedy recovery”, vice president of the National Conference (NC) said in the tweet.
Another former CM and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet said “ Deeply saddened by the attack on Krishna Dhaba at Sonawar in Srinagar. Extend my sympathies to the injured & his family. Violence is never the answer”.
Former minister and Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajjad Gani Lone in a tweet said “Krishna Dhaba an iconic eating place has served the tourists for decades. And this ghastly news of an attack on his son and his medically critical condition. What madness is this. Who r these cowards who find soft targets. My heartfelt sympathies. May he live long”.
J&K BJP General Secretary (Organisation), Ashok Koul also condemned the attack saying such acts are barbaric and highly condemnable. These things would not be tolerated anymore,” he said, adding that it was the historic day and these attacks are aimed to disturb the peace in the region.
Koul termed the incident as unfortunate and prayed for the wellbeing of the injured youth. “I pray for his speedy recovery and also urged police to investigate the case and nab the culprits behind the attack. “We stand by the family at this difficult situation. Those who are responsible would not achieve anything,” he said.
Apni Party (AP) Provincial President Mohammed Ashraf Mir too strongly condemned the attack and said nefarious elements inimical to peace have always tried to create a sense of fear in the valley.
Deeply anguished to hear about an apparent attack by terrorists at the Krishna Dhaba in Sonwar, Srinagar where a civilian has received injuries. Strongly condemn this act of cowardice and barbarism. My prayers for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured civilian, youth AP president and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said in a tweet .
Former IAS topper, who briefly joined politics Shah Faesal said, ”Today’s terror attack on a worker from Krishna Dhaba is aimed at disrupting Kashmir’s march to normalcy. But this isn’t going to change anything like the past thirty years of violence haven’t. That is totally clear. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured person.
