Images of the terrorists involved in a deadly attack in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 20 have recently surfaced in local media. The attack targeted a tunnel construction site along the Srinagar-Leh national highway, resulting in the deaths of six laborers and a doctor. CCTV footage captured one of the terrorists entering an officer’s building, carrying a blue-tagged AK series rifle similar to those seen in previous attacks in the South Pir Panjal region.
“This similarity raises concerns about potential links between the incidents and could indicate a pattern in the armament used by these terrorist groups,” the source stated.
The assailants, believed to be two in number, opened fire indiscriminately on the group, which included both local and non-local workers. Two laborers were killed instantly, while the doctor and four others succumbed to their injuries later. Five individuals are critically injured and currently receiving treatment.
Media reports suggest that the attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, noting that some of the victims were working on a significant infrastructure project. In a post on X, he expressed, “Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local laborers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed & 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones.”
In a similar incident on October 18, a migrant worker from Bihar was killed in Shopian district. The victim’s bullet-riddled body was later discovered by locals in the Waduna area of Zainapora, identified as Ashok Chauhan, who resided in the Sangam area of Anantnag.
