Terrorist Kill Five Bengal Labourers In Kashmir, Seventh Attack On Migrants Since 370 Abrogation

Amid European Union parliamentarians visit in Kashmir, a terrorist attack has rocked Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on October 29 killing five labourers and injuring one other. All the labourers were from the state of West Bengal.

This is the seventh attack on the migrants in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of article 370. The attack took place a day after a truck driver was shot dead in Anantnag. On the same day, in the afternoon, terrorists had fired at paramilitary stationed at a school in Pulwama district.

Initial investigation revealed that the survivors belonged to the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. According to the police, all the labourers were staying at a rented space, when the terrorists barged in, dragged them out and shot them. Five of them were killed on the spot, while one was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that they will extend support to the family of the five workers. She described the killings as brutal and said, “We are shocked and deeply saddened at the brutal killings in Kashmir.”

Apart from these, three other labourers who worked with them as mason and carpenters are missing. The Kashmir wing of the J&K Police had said that joint forces of Army, police, and the Central Reserve Police Force have cordoned off the area and are carrying the search operation assiduously.

The attack also took place at a time when delegations of European Union parliamentarians visited Kashmir to take stock of the situation post scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

After the centre lifted the ban on post-paid cellular services in Kashmir after 72 days, terrorists have targeted truckers and labourers, mainly from outside Kashmir. After the restoration of the telecom services in the area, the business in the valley is trying to get on its feet.

Previous Attacks

On October 28, a truck driver from Udhampur district was killed by terrorists in Anantnag. On October 24, terrorists killed two non-Kashmiri truck drivers in Shopian district. After they killed them, terrorists set the trucks on fire. Another truck driver managed to flee from the spot and was admitted to a hospital.

On October 16, Charanjeet Singh, an apple trader from Punjab was killed, and another was injured by terrorists in Shopian district. On the very day, a brick kiln worker from Chhattisgarh was killed by terrorists.

On October 14, terrorists killed a non-Kashmiri truck driver in Shopian district. These rampant killings have ingrained fear among civilians in Kashmir and are adversely impacting their livelihood.

Also Read: Kashmir: 5 CRPF Jawans Martyred, 1 Terrorist Killed In Anantnag Attack