Attack Details
The attack took place at a construction camp in the Gagangier area, around 74 kilometers from Srinagar. The victims were working on the Z-Morh tunnel project, a vital infrastructure initiative aimed at making the Srinagar-Sonamarg route an all-weather road. The attack occurred late in the evening, when laborers and staff had returned to their camp after work.
Among the deceased was Dr. Shahnawaz, a local doctor, and six migrant workers involved in the construction project. Five others were injured and rushed to the hospital, with critically injured victims transferred to SKIMS hospital in Srinagar.
TRF’s Changing Strategy
Sources revealed that TRF chief Sheikh Sajjad Gul orchestrated the attack, with his local module carrying out the killings on his orders. This marks a change in TRF’s approach, as they targeted both Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri workers, a shift from their earlier attacks, which mainly focused on Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs, and other non-locals.
The TRF terrorists had reportedly conducted a reconnaissance of the attack site for over a month before executing their plan. Two to three terrorists are believed to have been involved in the killings, highlighting a well-planned operation aimed at causing maximum disruption and fear.
Government Response
A four-member team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to visit the site as part of a larger investigation into the attack. The NIA’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the terror threat posed by groups like TRF, which have been active in the region for the past year and a half.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the attack, stating, “I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent laborers in Gagangir, Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief and condemned the attack in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local laborers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people.”
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly and unforgivable crime.” He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Pattern of Attacks
This attack follows a series of violent incidents targeting migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir. Just two days before, a migrant worker from Bihar, Ashok Chouhan, was killed in Shopian district. Earlier this year, another migrant laborer from Bihar was shot dead in a targeted attack in Anantnag.
These incidents highlight the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region, particularly against non-local workers who come to Kashmir for employment. Security forces, including over 4,000 elite commandos trained in mountain warfare, have been deployed across the region to prevent further attacks. The police have also issued automatic weapons to Village Defense Committees (VDCs) in remote areas to help protect civilians.
Conclusion
The attack in Ganderbal has once again drawn attention to the volatile security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. With TRF’s evolving tactics, targeting both locals and non-locals, security agencies face new challenges in safeguarding vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure projects. The investigation by the NIA will be crucial in identifying and dismantling the terrorist networks responsible for such acts of violence.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues to navigate this period of unrest, the resilience of its people and the resolve of its security forces will be key in the fight against terrorism.