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.
In the land of Nataraj, Natyashastra and Saundaryashastra, an Actress was killed today for being an Actress.
This is how Latisha, Bhand Pather, and other folk arts have almost succumbed to Jihadi radicalism.
Sad, Dark, Depressing truth of Kashmir pic.twitter.com/dk3X8CfNfU
— Bhasha Sumbli (@bhashasumbli) May 25, 2022
Arshia Malik, a Kashmiri influencer on social media, wrote this on Twitter:
If Jihadis believe they'll deter Kashmiri women & men from joining careers in theatre, TV, films, modelling, dance & music by murdering an artist;they're mistaken. This ain't 90s Kashmir, this is defiant Naya Kashmir youth firmly believing in a future with liberal, democratic India pic.twitter.com/srwjzstPzu
— Arshia Malik (@arshiaunis) May 25, 2022
Sahil Tikoo, a Kashmiri journalist based in Jammu wrote:
You may cover your head, you may cover your face, you may cover yourself from head to toe but they will always find a reason to kill you. Because they are barbaric male chauvinists who believe independent women deserve to be stoned to death. #Kashmir #JusticeForAmbreenBhat pic.twitter.com/e1ST5vEUZv
— Sahil Tikoo (@TikooSahil_) May 25, 2022
leader of the National Conference Omar Abdullah and many other politicians also condemned Ambreen's killing. Abdullah wrote on Twitter:
Shocked & deeply saddened by the murderous militant attack on Ambreen Bhat. Sadly Ambreen lost her life in the attack & her nephew was injured. There can be no justification for attacking innocent women & children like this. May Allah grant her place in Jannat. pic.twitter.com/5I9SsymbD0
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 25, 2022
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.
Also Read: Friends vouch for slain Rahul Bhatt's service to Kashmiris
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.