A non-local labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another critically injured after terrorists opened fire on workers at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir on the evening of July 31.
The attack prompted an extensive search operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to intensify anti-terror operations and “eliminate the terrorists” responsible.
The deceased was identified as 24-year-old Deepak Ratray, while the injured worker, Bhupender (28), was shifted to hospital for advanced treatment.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across party lines and has renewed concerns over the safety of migrant workers employed in the Valley.
Notably, reports emerging on August 1 indicate that the injured labourer later succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to two.
Targeted Attack on Brick Kiln Workers
According to officials, the assailants opened fire at close range on two labourers working at a brick kiln before fleeing the scene.
Both victims were rushed to hospital, but Deepak Ratray died from his injuries, while Bhupender was initially admitted to Government Medical College, Anantnag, before being referred to SKIMS Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those behind the attack.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he had spoken with Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and senior security officials following the incident. “I strongly condemn this cowardly act.
I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists,” he said, adding that the administration stands with the victims’ families and praying for the injured worker’s recovery.
Political leaders including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also condemned the attack, describing the targeting of labourers earning a livelihood far from home as cruel and inhuman.
Renewed Concerns Over Migrant Workers’ Safety
The Kulgam attack comes less than ten days after terrorists shot dead a police constable in neighbouring Anantnag district, highlighting continuing security challenges in parts of south Kashmir.
It is also the first reported targeted attack on migrant workers in nearly two years, reviving fears among thousands of seasonal labourers who travel to Jammu and Kashmir each year for work in construction, brick kilns, horticulture and other sectors.
Similar attacks on non-local workers have occurred in previous years, prompting enhanced security measures around vulnerable worksites.
Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice while strengthening protection for civilians working across the Valley.
Meanwhile, the latest reports confirm that the second injured labourer also died during treatment, further deepening the tragedy and intensifying calls for stronger security measures.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The killing of innocent workers who had travelled hundreds of kilometres in search of a livelihood is a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of violence.
Terrorism, irrespective of its perpetrators or motives, undermines the values of peace, dignity and coexistence, leaving families shattered and communities gripped by fear.
The latest attack in Kulgam, which claimed the lives of two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh, has once again raised concerns about the safety of civilians working in conflict-affected regions.
Authorities have responded by launching an extensive search operation and directing security forces to intensify efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Beyond security measures, the tragedy highlights the need for stronger systems to protect vulnerable workers who leave their homes to support their families.
Ensuring their safety requires coordinated efforts from governments, employers, local communities and civil society, alongside continued investment in dialogue, trust-building and community resilience.
While accountability for such crimes is essential, lasting peace can only be achieved by rejecting hatred and reinforcing the values of empathy, inclusion and mutual respect. Every worker, regardless of where they come from, deserves the right to earn a living without fear.
How can governments, communities and civil society work together to make migrant workers feel safer while strengthening peace and trust in conflict-affected regions?
