6 non-local workers, doctor killed in terror attack in J&K’s Ganderbal

Terrorists fired indiscriminately at a camp housing construction workers of a private company in the Gagangeer area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Oct 20 late evening leaving six non-local workers and a doctor dead, officials said.

At least 4-5 workers injured in the terror attack have been admitted at a Srinagar hospital. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched massive searches to hunt down the attackers.

Top security officials, including Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, and V K Birdi, have reached the spot to assess the situation, police said in a statement.

The attack took place near an under-construction Z-Morh tunnel, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh national highway. It is the second such attack on non-local workers after Omar Abdullah took reigns as Chief Minister of the newly elected government in Jammu and Kashmir on Oct 17, after a decade.

The terror attack was strongly condemned by Abdullah, Home Minister, Amit Shah, Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari, and many others.

Terming the attack on "unarmed innocent people" as a cowardly act and highly deplorable, Abdullah offered condolences to the loved ones of the victims.

“The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are several injured laborers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured fully recover as the more seriously injured are referred to SKIMS, Srinagar. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones,” Abdullah posted on X.

Calling the terror attack on civilians a “despicable act of cowardice”, Amit Shah said those involved in this heinous act would not be spared and will face the harshest response from security forces.

He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Shah wrote on X, “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 the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Jammu and Kashmir police in a post on X said, “Terror incident in Gagangeer Ganderbal. Area cordoned off by the security forces. Further details shall follow.”

While the identity of slain workers is yet to be ascertained, the deceased doctor was identified as Dr Shahnawaz, a resident of Naidgam in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Gadkari in a post on X, said that the "innocent laborers" were engaged in a vital infrastructure project in Gagangir, Sonamarg.

"I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent laborers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project," Gadkari said.

"I offer my humble tribute to the martyred laborers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery," he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra expressed grave concern over the attack.

In a statement, he said such incidents would vitiate the atmosphere and urged the government to take immediate measures to prevent such brutal attacks on innocent laborers.

Pertinently, the attack came a day after terrorists killed a migrant worker from Bihar in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Oct 18. The locals found Ashok Chauhan’s bullet-riddled body in the Waduna area of the district.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had condemned his killing, saying the entire country is against such "inhuman and reprehensible" crimes.