In a devastating terrorist attack, six construction workers and a doctor were killed in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. The attack occurred near an under-construction tunnel in the Sonamarg area, which is a key infrastructure project aimed at providing all-weather connectivity between Gaganeer and the tourist hub of Sonamarg. This incident has sent shockwaves across the region and has been widely condemned by local and national leaders.
According to reports, the attack happened around 8:15 PM on Sunday evening. Suspected Pakistani terrorists opened fire on a camp housing laborers employed by a private company, Apco Infratech, which is building the 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel (Times of India, 2024-10-20). The tunnel project is nearly complete and was slated to be inaugurated in the first week of November.
The victims included Dr. Shahnawaz from Budgam in central Kashmir, migrant workers Gurmeet Singh from Punjab's Gurdaspur, Anil Kumar Shukla, and Shashi Abrol, as well as locals Faheem Nazir, Mohd Hanief, and Abdul Kaleem (Times of India, 2024-10-20). The attack also left several others injured, with some critically wounded and transferred to SKIMS hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the attack, describing it as 'dastardly and cowardly' (India Today, 2024-10-20). He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged for the speedy recovery of those injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned the killings and assured that those involved in this heinous act will face the harshest response from security forces.
This attack is part of a disturbing trend of violence against non-native people in Kashmir. Just a day before this incident, a migrant worker from Bihar was killed by terrorists in Shopian district (India Today, 2024-10-20). The body of Ashok Chauhan was found riddled with bullets in a maize field in south Kashmir's Shopian district. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned this killing, calling it an 'inhuman and reprehensible' crime.
The attack on the construction site has highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. The region has seen a surge in terrorist violence this summer, claiming the lives of 22 security personnel since May 4 (Times of India, 2024-10-20). Around 80 terrorists are active in the region, according to Army's 15 Corps GoC Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched massive counter operations to hunt down the terrorists responsible for the attack (India Today, 2024-10-20). The police and army are working together to track down the attackers and bring them to justice. The incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures to protect innocent lives working on critical infrastructure projects.
The Z-Morh tunnel project is a significant infrastructure development aimed at improving connectivity between Kashmir valley and Ladakh. The project's completion is crucial for economic and strategic reasons, but it has been marred by such incidents of terrorism. The government and security forces must ensure that such attacks do not deter the progress of vital infrastructure projects.
The attack has also drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the country. People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone expressed his deep concern over the incident and urged for immediate measures to prevent such brutal attacks on innocent laborers (Business Standard, 2024-10-20). Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra also expressed grave concern over the attack and urged the government to take immediate measures to prevent such incidents.
As investigations continue, the exact number of casualties may rise due to injuries sustained during the attack. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and highlights the need for sustained efforts to combat terrorism and protect innocent lives.
