In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, after a Kashmiri Pandit shopkeeper, Bal Krishan Bhat, was shot at by unidentified gunmen in Shopian district, the other day, his family received immense support from his Muslim neighbours.
The Muslim neighbours not only rushed the Kashmiri Pandit to a hospital but camped at his house as well to ward off any further trouble. Bal Krishan Bhat, whose family runs a medicine store in Chotigam of the district, was shot at by unidentified gunmen outside his shop. He is currently undergoing treatment at the 92-Base Hospital of the Indian Army in Srinagar and his condition is stated to be stable.
The Bhat family is one of the two Kashmiri Pandit families in Chotigam. “We have lived here all along and never left the place. I will add that we have never felt threatened,” Bal Krishan Bhat’s brother Anil Bhat told the media. He said they don’t know what is in store for them, adding all their neighbours are very nice.
On Tuesday, a large number of their neighbours visited the Bhat family and expressed their solidarity with them.
“The moment I heard gunshots and cries, I rushed out along with my nephew and friends. We drove Sonu (Bal Krishan Bhat) to Shopian,” said Mukhtair Ahmed Lone, a neighbour.
After Bhat was taken to the Army facility, Lone and his entire family camped at the Bhat house. “Sonu and I grew up together and there is no difference between us at all. We are one and, in sha Allah, we will always remain one,” Lone said.
Fayaz Ahmed, another neighbour, said Sonu is liked by everyone in the village as he would open his shop even after midnight to help people in case of any medical emergency.—KMS
