According to officials, terrorists struck a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of a doctor and six migrant workers.
The terrorists had initiated fire on a camp that was occupied by employees of a private company. These employees were engaged in the construction of an under-construction Z-Mohr tunnel in the Gund area, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir.
The area has been cordoned off by the police and army in order to identify the attackers.
The Z-Mohr tunnel is of strategic importance to the defense. In Ladakh, the tunnel will offer all-weather connectivity to the Indian Army and the general populace. Ladakh is frequently isolated from Kashmir due to the substantial snowfall that occurs at Zojila. This disrupts the movement of essential goods and services, people, and forces.
The region has been cordoned off by security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) and local police officials. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), the foremost agency responsible for terror attack investigations, has also dispatched teams to the location.
Pak-Backed Lashkar’s Front Claims Attack
The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist organization that is a branch of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the murders.
According to sources, the attack was perpetrated by at least two unidentified terrorists. They also attacked the laborers and other staff upon their return to their camp after working on the tunnel project.
In recent years, the Ganderbal district, which has been historically considered a tranquil region, has experienced its first instances of targeting non-locals. Gagangir is situated in the Sonamarg region of the Ganderbal district.
The district has largely maintained a tranquil atmosphere, and the region where gunfire erupted today has been at peace for the past 10-15 years.
Videos of the incident are gaining popularity on social media platforms. Two individuals, both of whom were dressed for the winter, were depicted in graphic footage lying in a pool of blood in close proximity to the campsite.
HM Shah and CM Abdullah condemn the attack.
Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also condemned the terrorists’ killing of these two individuals, stating that they were involved in a critical infrastructure project.
The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the cowardly and dastardly attack on non-local laborers in Gagangir, Sonamarg region.” These individuals were engaged in a critical infrastructure project in the vicinity. This militant attack has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the injury of an additional 2-3. Abdullah, who has recently assumed his new position in the Union Territory, expressed his vehement condemnation of the attack on unarmed, innocent individuals and extended his condolences to their families in a social media post.
In a social media post, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that the terrorists who orchestrated the killings will not go unpunished.
The heinous terrorist attack on civilians in Gagangeer is strongly condemned by me. The individuals responsible for this despicable act will not escape punishment, I assure the public. Sinha stated on X that the J&K Police, Army, and Security Forces have been granted complete autonomy.
“The despicable act of cowardice that was perpetrated by the dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K.” Our security forces will take the harshest possible action against those who are involved in this heinous act. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased during this time of profound sorrow. Shah expressed his hope for the swift recovery of the injured in a social media post.
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. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 20, 2024
In addition, the terrorists’ killings were condemned by Central Minister Nitin Gadkari in a social media post.
“I unequivocally condemn the atrocious terror attack that targeted innocent laborers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were working on a critical infrastructure project. I extend my most sincere condolences to the families of the martyred laborers and offer my humble tribute to them during this challenging period. “My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a full and speedy recovery,” Gadkari stated.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has issued a statement that “strongly condemns the cowardly killing of two non-local laborers.”
“It is extremely painful and unforgivable.” We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased. In a social media post, Ravinder Sharma, the president of the Congress Kashmir unit, declared that the killers would be punished by our forces.
Sajad Lone, the regional leader of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), stated in a post that the killings were a “insane act of madness.”
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