Non-local worker killed in terror attack in J&K's Kulgam: Police

Attack on brick kiln workers

Armed terrorists fired upon a group of brick kiln workers in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday, killing one non-local labourer and leaving another injured, police said. The attack took place in a peripheral area of the south Kashmir district, where the workers, originally from Chhattisgarh, were employed at a local brick kiln.

Police officials said the terrorists opened fire indiscriminately on the workers before fleeing the spot. The injured worker has been shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment, though his condition was not immediately known. The identity of the deceased has been withheld pending family notification.

Search operation launched

Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the assailants. Additional reinforcements have been deployed in the vicinity to prevent any further incidents, officials said, without confirming whether any arrests have been made.

The attack has once again highlighted the vulnerability of migrant labourers who travel to Kashmir for work in brick kilns, orchards and construction sites. Many such workers come from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, and often live in makeshift shelters near their workplaces, with minimal security.

Political condemnation

Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act of terrorism. He urged the administration to ensure the safety of all non-local workers and to provide immediate compensation to the families of the victims. The Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief also expressed grief over the incident and demanded a thorough investigation.

Both leaders emphasised the need for a robust security grid around migrant worker camps, especially in rural and semi-urban belts of south Kashmir, where such attacks have occurred in the past.

Background of violence

The Kulgam attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting non-local workers in the Valley. In recent years, terrorists have repeatedly targeted migrant labourers, prompting periodic advisories from state authorities. However, despite heightened surveillance, such attacks have continued, often in remote locations with limited police presence.

Local administration officials have not yet disclosed whether the attackers have been identified or if any militant group has claimed responsibility. The area remained tense on Friday evening, with security pickets set up on major roads leading to the attack site.

The injured worker's family has been informed, and officials are coordinating with district authorities to facilitate the transportation of the deceased's body to his home state.

What to watch

Security forces are expected to intensify patrols in the coming days, and a detailed report on the attack is awaited. District authorities are likely to review security arrangements for migrant labourers, and any policy changes will be closely monitored.