Srinagar, J&K – A tragic terrorist attack on a labourers' camp in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening has left three labourers dead and four others injured, officials reported. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. at a site where a private company was engaged in constructing a tunnel aimed at enhancing the Srinagar-Sonamarg road into an all-weather route. According to official sources, the deceased were all non-local labourers, hailing from outside the region. The attack not only claimed the lives of two workers at the scene but also saw another succumb to injuries in a hospital where the injured were taken for treatment.
Among the injured are four individuals, including locals, who are currently receiving care at SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar. In response to the attack, the army and police swiftly cordoned off the area in search of the assailants. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, labeling it a "dastardly and cowardly attack." In a post shared on X, he condemned the violence directed toward unarmed, innocent individuals who were contributing to a vital infrastructure project. "I send my condolences to their loved ones," he wrote. Abdullah also updated that the casualty numbers may rise as many injured labourers were still being treated.
This attack follows a recent incident in the Zainpora area of Shopian district, where a non-local, Ashok Chouhan from Bihar, was killed just two days prior, marking a worrying trend of escalating violence in the region. Security in the Kashmir Valley has been under heightened scrutiny due to a surge in terrorist activities, particularly from foreign mercenaries targeting civilians and security forces. In light of the increasing threat, over 4,000 trained commandos from elite forces have been deployed in hilly districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi
These measures aim to prevent ambush attacks and apprehend terrorists hiding in the region's challenging terrain. Additionally, village defense committees have been equipped with automatic weapons to bolster local security in remote areas. As investigations continue and security measures are intensified, the community stands united in mourning the loss of lives while seeking justice and safety for all.