A doctor and six migrant workers were killed when terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Ganderbal district, Jammu & Kashmir, on October 20 evening, officials reported.
The terrorists shot at a camp where workers from a private company were staying. These workers were building the Z-Mohr tunnel in the Gund area, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, Central Kashmir.
The police and army have surrounded the area to find the attackers. The Z-Mohr tunnel is important for defence and will allow year-round access for people and the Indian Army in Ladakh. Heavy snowfall at Zojila often blocks the route to Ladakh from Kashmir, making it hard for people, goods, and services to move.
Security forces from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police have blocked off the area. Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which looks into terror attacks, have also quickly arrived.
#Terror incident in Gagangeer, #Ganderbal. Area cordoned off by security forces. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 20, 2024
Lashkar’s Front, Backed by Pakistan, claims responsibility for attack
The terrorist group The Resistance Front (TRF), which is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Sources say at least two unknown terrorists carried out the attack, targeting the workers and staff as they returned to their camp after working on the tunnel project.
Ganderbal district, which has usually been peaceful, has seen non-locals targeted for the first time in recent years. Gagangir is in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district. The district has largely remained calm, and the area where gunfire erupted has experienced peace for the past 10-15 years.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, calling it a “dastardly and cowardly” attack on non-local labourers.
Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local labourers 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…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024
“Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed and 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,” Omar wrote on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a social media post that the terrorists behind the killings will “not go unpunished.”
I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on civilians in Gagangeer. I assure the people that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished. We have given full freedom to J&K Police, Army and Security forces.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) October 20, 2024
“I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on civilians in Gagangeer. I assure the people that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished. We have given full freedom to J&K Police, Army and Security forces,” Manoj Sinha said on X.
Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the terror attacks, calling the killings an “act of cowardice.”
The dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K, is a despicable act of cowardice. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 20, 2024
“The dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K, is a despicable act of cowardice. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Shah said in a social media post.
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