Terrorists gun down migrant labourer, injure another in Kulgam

Security ops underway in J&K

Srinagar, July 31: A migrant labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another critically injured after suspected terrorists opened fire at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of Kulgam district on Friday evening, triggering a massive security operation across the area.

Officials said the attackers opened indiscriminate fire on two non-local labourers working at the brick kiln. Both victims were initially shifted to hospital with gunshot injuries. However, Deepak, a resident of Chhattisgarh, succumbed to his injuries before he could receive advanced treatment, while the injured labourer, identified as Bhupinder (also reported as Bhopinder), was referred to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where he is undergoing treatment.

Soon after the attack, personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) rushed to the scene, sealed the area and launched a joint search operation to trace the assailants. Security forces carried out intensive searches in and around Kelam, including door-to-door verification, as investigators worked on multiple leads. Officials said the operation was continuing late into the evening.

The latest attack has raised fresh security concerns as it comes within days of another militant strike in south Kashmir. On July 23, Head Constable Ashiq Hussain of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) was shot by terrorists in the busy Lal Chowk area of Anantnag while on deployment. Despite retaliatory action by security personnel, the attacker managed to escape by mingling with the crowd. Hussain later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the Anantnag attack, security agencies intensified anti-terror operations across the Valley, detaining hundreds of suspected overground workers (OGWs) for questioning and verification as part of efforts to dismantle the support network of terrorist outfits.

Friday’s attack on migrant labourers is likely to further strengthen the ongoing counter-terror operations in south Kashmir, with security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent any further attempts to target civilians or security personnel. Investigation into the Kulgam incident is underway.

LG orders intensified operations against terrorists

Srinagar, July 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam district that claimed the life of a non-local labourer from Chhattisgarh and left another seriously injured.

In a statement issued shortly after the attack, the Lieutenant Governor said he had spoken with Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and other top security officials to review the situation following the brutal terrorist strike.

Describing the incident as a “cowardly act,” LG Sinha directed the security forces to intensify anti-terror operations and ensure that the perpetrators are eliminated at the earliest.

“I strongly condemn this cowardly act. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He informed that the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a comprehensive operation to track down and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

The Lieutenant Governor also said that the injured labourer from Chhattisgarh has been shifted to a hospital for urgent medical treatment, where he is receiving necessary care.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences, LG Sinha conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family of the deceased labourer and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured worker.

“My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. I am praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The J&K Administration and the entire nation stand firmly with the affected families,” he said.