Ambreen's killing raises outrage in Kashmir

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 1 Years ago
Ambreen Bhat (Twitter)
Ambreen Bhat (Twitter)

 

New Delhi

The targeted killing of Ambreen Bhat, a 35-year-old TV actor and social media influencer in Kashmir,  Wednesday evening has led to angry reactions from Kashmiris with people saying it’s an attempt to obliterate the art and culture of the Valley and silence women in the typical  ‘Talibani style.”

Ambreen’s social media accounts have revealed her popularity and that her appeal transcends across the communities. She entertained people with his sense of humour, acted in songs, and made announcements on TV shows.

Ambreen and her 10-year-old nephew were shot at from a close range by terrorists in Hushroo, a village in the Budgam district. Ambreen succumbed to her injuries while the young boy is battling for his life in the hospital.

Her father said that two people came to his house and asked his daughter to come for a night shoot. "Ambreen came out to tell them that she doesn't accept night shoot assignments and they pumped bullets into her."

Bhasha Sumbli, actor in the blockbuster Hindi film The Kashmir Files said her killing is a continuation of the terrorists' attempts to bury Kashmir arti and cultural traditions.

Arshia Malik, a Kashmiri influencer on social media, wrote this on Twitter:

Sahil Tikoo, a Kashmiri journalist based in Jammu wrote:

leader of the National Conference Omar Abdullah and many other politicians also condemned Ambreen's killing. Abdullah wrote on Twitter:

People have pointed out that Ambreen looked like a traditional Muslim woman through her attire. She made innocuous videos and did non-political programmes on social media and television, yet was killed by Islamists.

Police have said she was killed by a Lashkar-e--Toiba terrorist and has been identified.

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Many Kashmiris feel it's a return of the hit-list era when the list of the names of potential targets would be pasted in public spaces by terrorists in Kashmir. Also, others say targeting noncombatants like artists is a "Taliban-type" operation that can be supported only by mercenaries.