The death toll from the recent terror attack in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, has risen to seven. This increase follows the death of another injured individual in the hospital.
The attack occurred on Sunday evening at a laborers’ camp in Gagangir. The victims, both locals and non-locals, were working on a crucial infrastructure project aimed at connecting Srinagar and Sonamarg via an all-weather road.
Among those killed were Faheem Nasir, a safety manager from Bihar; Angil Shukla, a mechanical manager from Madhya Pradesh; and Mohammad Hanif, also from Bihar. Other victims included Dr. Shahnawaz from Budgam, Kaleem from Bihar, Shashi Abrol, a designer from Jammu, and Gurmeet Singh, a rigger from Gurdaspur, Punjab.
Currently, five individuals are receiving treatment at the super-speciality SKIMS hospital in Srinagar. In response to the attack, security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an operation to locate the assailants.
Also Read: Two Labourers Killed, Five Injured In Terrorist Attack In J&K’s Ganderbal District
The assault on innocent civilians has drawn widespread condemnation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the attack as a “despicable act of cowardice.” He vowed that those responsible would face severe consequences and extended his condolences to the victims’ families.
Similarly, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the attack and paid tribute to the laborers, emphasizing the importance of the infrastructure project they were working on.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the incident. He assured the public that the perpetrators would be held accountable and highlighted the commitment of security forces to maintain order.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his sorrow, calling the attack dastardly and cowardly. He noted that the casualty figures might increase as more injured laborers are referred to SKIMS.
Others, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, condemned the violence and raised concerns about the ongoing threats to non-local laborers. Karra specifically called for immediate government action to prevent such brutal attacks.
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami referred to the incident as deeply troubling and emphasized the need for justice. Meanwhile, JKPC chairman Sajad Gani Lone described the act as insane and extended his thoughts to the victims’ families.
Intelligence agencies suggest that the attack may reflect frustration among terrorist handlers across the border, especially following the recent peaceful elections in the region.