Shujaat Bukhari 'terror attack': Key suspect, seen picking up pistol after murder, arrested

SRINAGAR: The fourth suspect in the murder case of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari was taken into custody by Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday. The suspect has been identified as Zubair Qadri, informed Inspector General (IG) Kashmir Swayam Prakash Pani.

Earlier today, the police released a video of Qadri in public domain. The visual showed a bearded man, in a white shirt, assessing the slain journalist's body from inside the vehicle. He was reportedly picking up a pistol from the murder site after which he escaped, reported news agency IANS. 

“At this stage we are investigating the role of the fourth suspect, who was was seen picking up the weapon from the spot and vanishing,” said Pani, adding that his role in recovery of the pistol is currently underway. 

An Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by DIG central Kashmir, has been formed, said Pani.

He added that the first picture of the suspects, which showed three men on a bike, was not in public domain. However, another picture, showing a fourth suspect inside the veteran journalist's vehicle was in public domain.

“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,” said Pani.

Pani also described the killing of the journalist as a "terror attack".

“As far as the case is concerned at this stage it is a terror incident. It is a terrorist related crime. We are investigating into the case,” said the IG Kashmir.

The identity of the other three attackers are currently being ascertained, the police official said.

The veteran journalist was shot dead in Press Colony near Lal Chowk in Srinagar by unidentified assailants on Thursday. The journalist was then rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. According to reports, Bukhari’s two personal security officers also got critically injured in the attack.