On a tragic Sunday in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, a terrorist attack left seven people dead and five others injured. The incident took place at a camp housing labourers of a private firm working on the construction of a tunnel in the Gund area. According to reports, the terrorists launched a surprise attack by opening fire on the labourers. Two of the victims died at the scene, while three others, including a local doctor, succumbed to their injuries later. The remaining five victims are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
This brutal assault has left the region in shock, particularly due to the senseless targeting of innocent labourers who were working on an infrastructure project. The police and army swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt to track down the perpetrators behind the attack.
Yasmeen Kango, the medical superintendent of Kangan Sub-District Hospital, confirmed the death of a local doctor among the victims. The local authorities are working closely with the security forces to prevent any further attacks and ensure the safety of those living and working in the area.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, expressed his grief and outrage in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local laborers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. Two have been killed & 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones.”
The attack in Ganderbal has reignited fears of targeted assaults on non-local laborers in the region. In recent months, there has been a disturbing pattern of attacks on migrant workers, including laborers from other parts of India, particularly Bihar. This rise in violence seems aimed at creating fear and disrupting key infrastructure and development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Just days before this attack, a grim discovery was made in Shopian district, where the bullet-riddled body of Ashok Chauhan, a laborer from Bihar, was recovered. Chauhan had been working in the Sangam area of Anantnag and was reported missing by his colleagues after he left their group while harvesting corn. When he failed to return, his colleagues launched a search and eventually found his body in the Wachi area of Zainapora, a chilling reminder of the region’s instability.
The killing of Ashok Chauhan was met with widespread condemnation. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly denounced the murder in a post on X, stating, “I strongly condemn the brutal killing of vendor Ashok Chauhan in Shopian by cowardly terrorists. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with his family. Our security forces are determined to hunt down the culprits and bring them to justice.” The senseless act of violence against Chauhan, who had been living and working in the region, underscored the growing threats faced by migrant workers in Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack in strong terms, expressing his sorrow over Chauhan’s death. He said, “Very sorry to hear about the death of Ashok Chauhan at the hands of militants in South Kashmir. These attacks are abhorrent & must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I send my condolences to the family & loved ones of the deceased.”
These targeted attacks on laborers have not only brought anguish to the families of the victims but have also cast a shadow on the broader efforts to bring peace and development to Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing violence seems to be aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear and halting the progress of important development projects. The security forces, while working to maintain order, are facing challenges as terrorists continue to target vulnerable individuals who are simply trying to earn a living.
The recent incidents in Ganderbal and Shopian underscore the persistent threat of violence in the region. The victims, many of whom come from other parts of India, have become soft targets in a conflict that continues to affect the lives of innocent civilians. The government and security forces are under pressure to not only track down those responsible for these attacks but also to ensure the safety and security of the labor force that is critical to the region’s development.
The killings have sparked outrage across the country, with citizens and leaders alike calling for justice for the victims and stricter security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. While the manhunt for the attackers is ongoing, the families of the victims are left grappling with the senseless loss of their loved ones in these horrific acts of violence.