Tragic terrorist attack in Ganderbal claims seven lives, raises concerns over safety of non-locals
- In Reports
- 10:46 PM, Oct 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a tragic incident on Sunday, seven individuals lost their lives when terrorists opened fire at a construction site in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir. Among the victims was a Kashmiri doctor, along with labourers and staff affiliated with a contractor working on a tunnel for the Srinagar-Leh national highway. This attack marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since the June 9 incident in Reasi, where nine pilgrims died after their bus fell into a valley following gunfire from terrorists.
The victims of Sunday’s attack included a Kashmiri doctor and six individuals employed by a construction company who had returned to their camp in the evening. Among the six were three labourers, a manager, a mechanical engineer, and a designer. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who took office on October 16, condemned the attacks, labelling them as "dastardly."
According to police reports, at least two suspected gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on the camp that housed workers of APCO in the Gagangeer area of Gund, Ganderbal district.
Inspector General of police VK Birdi said the victims were transported to the hospital after being fired upon by terrorists, but they succumbed to their injuries. “The incident took place in a densely forested area, but security forces swiftly reached the location and cordoned off the area,” he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said those involved in the heinous act will not be spared. “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,” Shah wrote on X. Police confirmed that the incident was terrorism-related. “Terror incident in Gagangeer, Ganderbal. Area was cordoned off by security forces. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir police zone said in a post on X.
These attacks occurred shortly after the inauguration of the first new administration in Jammu and Kashmir since the region was designated as a union territory and its special status under Article 370 was revoked in 2019.
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 the 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.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra expressed serious concern over the attack carried out by unidentified gunmen, stating that such incidents would poison the atmosphere in the region. He urged the government to implement immediate measures to prevent further brutal attacks on innocent labourers. This year alone, including the recent attack, there have been four incidents in which terrorists’ targeted civilians from outside the state.
Additionally, a bullet-riddled body of a 37-year-old labourer, Ashok Chauchan, from Bihar, was discovered in Shopian district on October 18. Chauhan was shot dead by suspected terrorists in the Sangam area of Anantnag.
On April 17, a migrant worker from Bihar was killed by terrorists in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag. Earlier, on February 7, Amritpal Singh, a labourer from Amritsar, was also targeted and killed by terrorists in the old city area of Srinagar. Additionally, another non-local worker, Rohit Mashi, who was injured in the same incident, succumbed to his injuries three days later.
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