Jehangir Ali 
Srinagar: A Kashmiri doctor is among at least seven people who were killed when suspected militants opened fire at the base camp of a construction company in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir on Sunday (October 20), officials said. Five more suffered injuries.
This is the first major attack on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir since June 9 when a bus carrying pilgrims was targeted in Reasi district in which nine civilians, some of them pilgrims, were killed.
A senior police officer said that the attack took place near Gagangir village on Srinagar-Leh highway on Sunday evening when unidentified gunmen, believed to be two in number, indiscriminately opened fire at the base camp of APCO Infra, a Lucknow-based construction company which has worked on several key projects in Kashmir.
Sources said the base camp serves as a night shelter for engineers, other staff and labourers who are involved in the construction of Z-Morh tunnel, a strategic tube on the highway which connects Kashmir valley with the Union territory of Ladakh.
Reports said that the gunmen first snapped the power lines of the base camp before firing indiscriminately at the workers who were having dinner.
Most victims’ identities not confirmed yet
Among the deceased is a Kashmiri doctor identified as Dr Shahnawaz, a resident of central Kashmir.
A safety manager and a mechanical manager working with the construction company among other workers who hailed from Jammu, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were also killed in the shooting.
The Z-Morh Tunnel project at Ganderbal. Photo: Shome Basu/The Wire
A 27-second video, purportedly shot moments after the shooting, circulated on social media which showed the bloodied bodies of two victims lying some 10 metres apart near the base camp.
One of the victims can be seen wearing a white shirt and green trousers and his body lies face-up near a white car while a green, soft drink bottle is lying beside the second victim who is in black trousers with white stripes and brown sweater.
The identities of most of the slain victims has not been confirmed by the police so far. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir), V.K. Birdi, confirmed the killings to a local news gatherer, saying that the incident took place in a forested area. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
A team of police, army and paramilitary troopers arrived at the spot after the shooting and the injured were shifted to a hospital where their condition is reported to be stable. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, IG Birdi among other top police officers visited the site of the attack late on Sunday.
A search operation was underway in the area to track down the perpetrators when this report was filed.
Shooting comes days after migrant worker found dead
This shooting in Ganderbal district came two days after a bullet-riddled body of a migrant worker from Bihar was found near Rambiara river in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. The slain, who had been abducted by suspected militants, was identified as Ashok Chauhan. He used to sell maize in the district.
Although no militant group has claimed the attack, police described the incident as a “terror attack”.
The attack in Ganderbal is likely to create an atmosphere of fear among thousands of migrant workers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal who earn their livelihood in Kashmir by working in skilled and unskilled sectors, including construction, agriculture and others.
This is the second incident of civilian killing after Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first chief minister of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and his government is likely to face tough questions on the breakdown of law and order after coming to office.
“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 unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones,” Abdullah posted on X after the Ganderbal attack.
The attack was also condemned by Union home minister Amit Shah, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and regional political parties including Peoples Democratic Party led by Mehbooba Mufti, Democratic Progressive Azad Party which is headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Peoples Conference (PC) and others.
“Unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence against two labourers in Ganderbal. Deepest condolences to their families,” Mufti posted on X.
Azad said: “Strongly condemn the killing of two non local innocent labourers in the Gagangier area in Ganderbal, Kashmir. This is the third killing in the last three days—an act against humanity. The enemies of peace must be dealt with firmly. My condolences to their families and prayers for the injured!”
“Deeply disturbed by the brutal killings in Gagangir, Sonmarg. Two innocent lives lost, families devastated. Urging authorities to take immediate action. Kashmir deserves peace, justice & an end to senseless violence,” PC general secretary and former J&K minister Imran Ansari posted on X.
Note: This report has been updated since publication with additional details.