Srinagar/ Jan 2: The son of slain gold smith Saturday categorically refuted the reports that his father was killed because he had acquired a domicile certificate in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, 65-year-old goldsmith Satpal Nischal was shot dead by suspected militants in busy Hari Singh High Street market in the heart of Srinagar city on Thursday late evening.

Unknown gunmen barged into his ornament shop and fired upon him. He was shifted to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

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Rakesh Nischal, the son of slain goldsmith told KNT that they have been living in Kashmir from the past 50 years. “We started ornament business in Kashmir in 1970. I don’t know who and why my father was killed. We have no grudge with anyone. There was no rivalry at all. It is the job of the police to investigate,” he said adding that domicile certificate is not a reason for his father’s killing.

“What is the fun of the domicile certificate? We had been residing in Kashmir from the past 50 years. We don’t need any job. We have a shop at Hari Singh High Street that we operate on a rental basis. I don’t think my father was killed just because he had acquired a domicile certificate,” Rakesh Nischal who presently resides at Indra Nagar Sonawar area of Srinagar said.

 While divulging information about the killing of this father, he said that a guy entered into his shop in his presence and started firing at his father. “He shot at least 7 to 8 bullets,” Rakesh Nischal said adding that he was unable to identify the assailant as he tried to save his father. (KNT)