Preliminary investigations into a fatal terror attack in Kulgam district of South Kashmir indicate that the assailant, believed to be a lone gunman, engaged in conversation with the migrant workers at a brick kiln before suddenly opening fire, killing two individuals. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has prompted a heightened security presence in the region.
The victims, identified as Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, had reportedly arrived in Kashmir with their families last month from Chhattisgarh in search of employment at the brick kiln. According to sources close to the investigation, family members of the deceased informed authorities that a single individual approached the group of workers and initiated a dialogue. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the attacker engaged the labourers in conversation for a period before the shooting commenced. The attack reportedly escalated when the women present went inside their temporary shelters to prepare food, at which point the gunman opened fire on the workers. Witnesses also indicated that the attacker was carrying a bag.
Umer Sidiq, the owner of the brick kiln located in the Kelam area, confirmed that the labourers were first-time visitors to Kashmir, having come from Chhattisgarh to work at his facility. Upon receiving news of the incident, Sidiq stated he rushed to the site and found the victims critically injured, subsequently arranging for their immediate transfer to a hospital. He further noted that his kiln typically employs around 250 migrant workers annually, who usually arrive in early July and depart by October. Sidiq expressed that such an incident had never occurred at his establishment prior to this event.
Following the attack, the families of the victims agreed to have the last rites performed in Kulgam. The district administration facilitated the cremation process on Saturday. Despite the violence, several workers at the brick kiln have indicated their intention to continue their work and remain in the area, rather than returning to their native places. Authorities have since implemented enhanced security measures around the brick kiln and the surrounding areas in an effort to reassure the migrant labourers.
Sources within the police department have revealed that investigators are considering the possibility that the same militant responsible for a recent attack in Anantnag, which resulted in the death of a Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, may also be behind the Kulgam incident. Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Latief Ahmad is reportedly suspected of carrying out both of these recent attacks in South Kashmir. The investigation into the Kulgam terror attack is ongoing, with authorities seeking to gather further evidence and apprehend the perpetrator.
The incident underscores the persistent security challenges in the region and the vulnerability of migrant workers. The engagement tactic employed by the attacker, described as initiating a conversation before resorting to violence, presents a disturbing pattern that investigators are examining closely. The focus remains on identifying the individual responsible and understanding the motives behind this targeted attack on innocent labourers. The response from the district administration, including facilitating the last rites and increasing security, aims to restore confidence among the migrant workforce and prevent further such incidents. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the operational methods and network of the militant groups active in the area.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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