New Delhi: The death toll in the terrorist attack on migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district has risen to two after an injured labourer succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. The attack, which took place in the Kellam area, has once again raised concerns over the targeting of non local workers in the Valley.
The second victim has been identified as Bupinder Kumar, while another labourer, Deepak, had died earlier following the shooting. A third worker from Chhattisgarh remains under medical treatment.
According to police, unidentified terrorists opened fire on workers employed at a brick kiln in Kellam before fleeing the scene. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan based terror outfit Lashkar e Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Police sources said the attackers allegedly separated two Hindu labourers from a group of non local workers before shooting them at close range, raising suspicions that the victims were targeted based on their religious identity. Investigators are examining the suspected involvement of one local and one foreign terrorist. The probe is focusing on Mohammed Lateef, who is believed to have joined Lashkar e Taiba and TRF last year.
Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to track down those responsible. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the security situation with senior police officials and directed forces to intensify anti terror operations to ensure the attackers are brought to justice.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the killings and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased. The compensation will be in addition to ₹6 lakh each being provided by the district administration.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir, with renewed calls for stronger action against terrorism. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns following a series of attacks on civilians, migrant workers and pilgrims in the region over the past two years, including the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in 2025 that claimed 26 lives.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
