Seven people killed, few injured in terrorist attack at construction site in India’s Jammu and Kashmir

Seven people, including locals, non-locals, and a doctor, working at the construction site of a key infrastructure project, were killed and a few others were injured in a terrorist attack at Gagangir in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening (Oct 20), just days after an elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came to power in the Union Territory. Some of those who died in the attack were reportedly migrant workers.

The firing incident happened close to a campsite of the Z-mode tunnel at Gagangeer in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district.

The local police and security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

According to media reports, the attack was carried out by the terrorist group The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that some of those individuals were working on a key infrastructure project and slammed the terror attack.

Taking to X, CM Abdullah wrote, “Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 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.”

He added, “The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar.”

Taking to X, Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K, is a despicable act of cowardice. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

In a similar attack on October 18, a migrant worker from Bihar was killed in Shopian district.

The bullet-riddled body of the worker was found by locals in the Waduna area of Zainapora in Shopian.

Later, officials identified the victim as Ashok Chauhan, who was living in the Sangam area of Anantnag.

Criticising the killing of the non-local labourer, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the country stands united against such “inhuman and reprehensible” acts.

“The killing of a labourer from Bihar by terrorists in Shopian, Kashmir is a very sad and cowardly criminal act. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” Gandhi said in his Facebook post.

Sunday’s attacks triggered swift political condemnation across the board. Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said: “Unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence against two labourers in Ganderbal. Deepest condolences to their families.”

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Altaf Thakur called the attack a frustration on part of the terrorists. “Strongly condemn the cowardly act of terrorists who killed two unarmed labourers at Gagangir. This shows frustration on part of the terrorists as they have failed to face security forces,” he said.

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra expressed grave concern over the attack carried out by unidentified gunmen. He added that such incidents will vitiate the atmosphere and urged the government to take immediate measures to prevent such brutal attacks on innocent labourers.

This year alone, including Sunday’s, there have been four attacks in which terrorists have targeted civilians who are from outside the state.

A bullet-riddled body of a 37-year-old labourer, Ashok Chauchan,from Bihar was recovered in Shopian district on October 18. Chauhan was shot dead by suspected terrorists in Sangam area of Anantnag.

On April 17, a migrant worker from Bihar was killed by terrorists in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag.

On February 7, Amritpal Singh, a labourer from Amritsar, was killed by terrorists in the old city area of Srinagar. Another non-local worker, Rohit Mashi, who was injured in the incident, succumbed to his injuries three days later.

With Thanks Reference to: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/doctor-among-7-killed-in-ganderbals-terrorist-attack-in-jammu-and-kashmir/ar-AA1sBGFC?ocid=BingNewsVerp and https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/seven-people-killed-few-injured-in-terrorist-attack-at-construction-site-in-india-s-jammu-and-kashmir/ar-AA1sB6KZ?ocid=BingNewsVerp