• Security forces launch manhunt
• Second targeted attack in south Kashmir in over a week
Srinagar: A non-local labourer was killed and another critically injured after suspected terrorists opened fire on them at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday evening. It was the second targeted attack on civilians in south Kashmir in over a week.
Police said the attackers targeted two labourers from Chhattisgarh working at the brick kiln before fleeing the scene.
A senior police officer told Kashmir Horizon that one of the injured labourers succumbed to his injuries, while the other was shifted to hospital for specialised treatment.
The deceased was identified as Deepak Ratray son of Umesh Ratray, resident of Chhattisgarh, who was declared brought dead after sustaining critical injuries. The injured labourer, Bhopendra, son of Dastat, also from Chhattisgarh, was initially treated locally before being referred to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, for advanced medical care.
Soon after the attack, police and security forces rushed to the spot, sealed the area and launched a massive cordon-and-search operation to trace the assailants.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. The investigation is in progress, and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime.
“All angles are being investigated, and we are also coordinating with J&K police to track the suspects,” he said.
The incident comes less than ten days after terrorists shot dead a police officer in Anantnag, raising fresh concerns over renewed targeted attacks in south Kashmir.
On June 22, a policeman was killed in a terrorist attack in Anantnag district. The attack took place around 12.30 pm near Lal Chowk, a commercial hub, on the Anantnag-Kokernag road.
The policeman, according to officials, had been deployed there for security during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the attack and said he had spoken to Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior security officials, directing them to intensify anti-terror operations.
“I strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist attack. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists,” Sinha said in a post on X.
He said security forces had cordoned off the area and launched an operation to bring the perpetrators to justice, while expressing condolences to the family of the deceased and wishing the injured labourer a speedy recovery.
Political parties across Jammu and Kashmir also condemned the attack.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti described the killing as “unimaginably cruel”, saying the labourers had travelled to Kashmir only to earn a livelihood for their families.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari termed the attack “tragic and inhuman”, demanding strict action against those responsible and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families.
The People’s Conference also denounced the attack, calling the targeting of innocent civilians “utterly reprehensible” and extending condolences to the bereaved family while wishing the injured worker a speedy recovery.
