2 migrant labourers shot by terrorists in J&K's Kulgam, 1 killed, another injured

Terrorists opened fire on two non-local labourers in the Kellam area of Kulgam, south Kashmir, on Friday evening, killing one and injuring the other.

In Short

• One labourer, Deepak from Chhattisgarh, died on spot
• Injured labourer Bhopinder shifted to GMC Anantnag
• Incident follows recent killing of police officer in Anantnag

One migrant labourer was killed and another sustained serious injuries after suspected terrorists opened fire on them at a brick kiln in the Kellam area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday evening.

Officials told India Today that the terrorists targeted two non-local labourers working at the brick kiln in Kelam late in the evening. Authorities immediately shifted both victims for treatment.

Deepak, a resident of Chhattisgarh, was brought dead to the hospital after succumbing to his injuries before he could be transported for advanced medical care. The other injured labourer, identified as Bhopinder, also from Chhattisgarh, sustained serious injuries and was referred to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, for advanced treatment.

The attack targeted non-local workers in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. The incident took place at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of Kulgam.

Following the attack, security forces rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area, and launched a search operation to track down the attackers. Further details of the incident are awaited.

The attack comes less than ten days after terrorists shot dead a police officer in Anantnag town.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the terror attack and said he had spoken to Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior security officials following the incident.

"I strongly condemn this cowardly act. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists," Sinha said in a post on X.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces had cordoned off the area and launched an operation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Sinha also said the injured labourer from Chhattisgarh had been rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care. He expressed condolences to the bereaved family and wished the injured labourer a speedy recovery.

Political parties also condemned the attack.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti described the attack as "unimaginably cruel" and condemned the killing of the labourers, saying they had travelled far from home only to earn a livelihood for their families.

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari termed the attack "tragic and inhuman". He said those responsible must be brought to justice and expressed solidarity with the victims' families while praying for the recovery of the injured labourer.

The People's Conference also condemned the attack, calling the targeting of innocent civilians "utterly reprehensible" and extending condolences to the family of the deceased while wishing the injured worker a swift recovery.

- Ends