Non-local labourer killed in terrorist attack in J&K's Kulgam

SRINAGAR: A terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday left at least one non-local labourer dead and another injured. The deceased has been identified as a worker from Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The incident occurred in the Kulgam area, where terrorists opened fire on a group of migrant labourers. The injured worker has been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, though his condition is not yet known. This is the first terrorist attack on migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir in 21 months, according to local reports.

Attack on Migrant Workers

The victims were labourers engaged in local work, and both were non-local residents. The attack has reignited concerns about the safety of migrant workers in the region, who have often been targeted by terrorists in the past.

Police and security forces reached the spot soon after the incident and cordoned off the area. A search operation has been launched to track down the attackers, officials said, though no arrests have been made so far.

LG Sinha's Response

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack in a statement, terming it a cowardly act. He ordered the security establishment to intensify anti-terror operations in the region and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly.

"The attack on innocent labourers is deeply condemnable. I have directed the security forces to take all necessary measures to strengthen security and neutralise such elements," Sinha said, according to Rising Kashmir.

Security Concerns in Kashmir

The attack comes amid a broader security review in the Union Territory, where terrorist incidents have been sporadic. Migrant workers, often from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, have been vulnerable targets in the past, particularly during periods of heightened militancy.

In recent years, security forces have stepped up counter-insurgency operations, but attacks on civilians, especially non-locals, continue to pose a challenge. The last major attack on migrant workers was reported nearly two years ago, and Friday's incident marks a worrying escalation.

What to Watch

Authorities are expected to release more details about the injured worker's condition and the identity of the attackers in the coming hours. Security forces are likely to intensify patrolling and intelligence-gathering in Kulgam and neighbouring districts to prevent further incidents. The administration may also review security arrangements for migrant labourers in the region.