Azad Ahmad Malik, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)militant who was believed to be one of the conspirators behind the murder of noted journalist, Shujaat Bukhari, was killed along with five others in an encounter in Sekipora area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, South Kashmir.
According to the J&K Police, Azad along with Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat and Naveed Jatt from Pakistan had murdered Bukhari outside his office in the city centre Press Enclave, Lal Chowk in Srinagar earlier this year.
Azad belonged to Arwani area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir. His body was handed over by the police to his family.
Bukhari was killed along with his two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) in Lal Chowk. He was the Editor-in-Chief of a popular local daily, The Rising Kashmir. Besides, being a prominent voice from the valley, Bukhari was also a part of various peace initiative between India and Pakistan and is believed to have participated in many TrackII talks with Pakistan.
His murder evoked massive condemnation from people across various quarters in valley end in India.
