Doctor, non-locals among 7 killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

Seven people killed by terrorists were part of the construction team working on the Z-Morh tunnel, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in Central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.

In Short

• Attack occurred near under-construction tunnel in Sonamarg
• Area cordoned off, hunt for terrorists underway
• Omar Abdullah condemns 'cowardly attack', extends condolences

One doctor and six migrant workers were killed after terrorists opened fire at a construction site in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said. The attack occurred near an under-construction tunnel, they said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched massive counter operations to hunt down the terrorists.

According to initial reports, the doctor and workers attacked were part of the construction team working on the Z-Morh tunnel, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in Central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.

The unidentified terrorists -- believed to be at least two -- carried out the attack when the labourers and other staff working on the tunnel project at Gund in Ganderbal had returned to their camp late in the evening, the officials told news agency PTI.

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

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the attack on "unarmed innocent people", which came just four days after he was sworn in.

"Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed and 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones," Abdullah posted on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the attack and called it an "act of cowardice".

"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," Shah said.

Today's attack came a day after terrorists killed a migrant worker from Bihar in Shopian district on October 18. The locals found the worker's bullet-riddled body in the Waduna area of Zainapora in Shopian district in south Kashmir.

The labourer was identified as Ashok Chauhan and was living in Sangam area of Anantnag, officials said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the killing of a non-local labourer, saying the entire country is against such "inhuman and reprehensible" crimes.

"The killing of a labourer from Bihar by terrorists in Shopian, Kashmir is a very sad and cowardly criminal act. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family," Gandhi had said in a post in Hindi on Facebook.

A similar attack took place in April this year when a migrant labourer was shot dead by terrorists in a targeted attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

According to Kashmir Zonal Police, the worker, identified as Raju Shah, was rushed to a hospital but died during treatment.