Srinagar, August 1:
The death toll in the terrorist attack on migrant labourers in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district has risen to two after the second injured worker succumbed to his injuries at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, on Saturday.
Officials said terrorists opened fire on two migrant labourers at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of Kulgam on Friday evening, leaving both critically injured. They were immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where one of the victims succumbed to his injuries. The second injured labourer, who was later referred to SKIMS Srinagar for advanced treatment, also passed away on Saturday despite the efforts of doctors.
The deceased have been identified as Deepak Rattray (24), son of Uma Shankar, and Bopinder (28), son of Dasrar, both residents of Chhattisgarh who were working as migrant labourers in Kashmir.
Following the attack, security forces swiftly reached the spot, cordoned off the area and launched an extensive search operation to trace and neutralise the terrorists responsible for the attack.
Police have registered a case, while investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the attack and spoke to Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, directing security agencies to intensify anti-terror operations across the region and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice at the earliest.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the entire nation stand firmly with them during this difficult time.
The latest incident marks the second major terror attack in Kashmir within the last ten days. On July 22, terrorists had shot dead a Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable at point-blank range in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag, highlighting renewed concerns over targeted attacks in the Valley.
Security has been further strengthened in the region, while anti-terror operations have been intensified to track down those involved in the Kulgam attack.(KNC)