Militants shoot dead six workers, a doctor in Kashmir’s Ganderbal

Scores of workers live in the area of the shooting as they have taken up the ongoing construction work on the Z-Morh tunnel and widening of the highway.

Seven civilians — a local doctor and six non-local workers — were killed in a militant attack at a construction site in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal on Sunday (October 20, 2024) evening.

Official sources said unknown gunmen turned up near the camp site of a private company in Ganderbal’s Gagangeer area in the evening and opened indiscriminate firing. Construction of the strategic Z-Morh tunnel and widening of the highway are under way in the area, which is close to the tourist destination of Sonamarg.

A police spokesperson confirmed the death of three non-local workers in the attack. Official sources, however, said the death toll touched seven by Sunday night as “four injured civilians succumbed to their injuries in a hospital.”

The deceased have been identified as Gurmeet Singh from Gurdaspur in Punjab, Dr. Shahnawaz of Budgam, Anil Kumar Shukla, Faheem Nazir, Shashi Abrol, Mohd Hanief and Kaleem.

A police spokesperson said security forces cordoned off the area after the attack. Initial reports suggested an INSAS automatic rifle was used to target these workers, who were present near the construction site.

The number of attackers could not be ascertained immediately. Official sources said senior police officers, including Inspector General of Police V.K. Birdi, reached the spot on Sunday night and were investigating the matter to establish the sequence of events.

Two days ago, a non-local worker was killed in south Kashmir’s Shopian.

The fresh attack on non-locals was widely condemned in Jammu and Kashmir. Union Home Minster Amit Shah, in a post on X, said, “Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces,” he said, adding, “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.“

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also strongly condemned the attack on civilians in Gagangeer. “I assure the people that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished. We have given full freedom to J&K Police, Army and Security forces,” he said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the victims were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. “I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,” he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti described it as “senseless act of violence”.

Published - October 20, 2024 10:00 pm IST