Doctor, non-locals among 7 killed in terror attack in J-K’s Ganderbal

Srinagar, Oct 20: Terrorists on Sunday evening fired at workers at a construction site in the Gagangeer area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, leaving six labourers and a doctor dead.

News agencies reported that a doctor and six labourers died in the attack. Several labourers were injured in the attack who have been moved to a health facility. The deceased doctor was identified as Dr Shahnawaz, a resident of Naidgam in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

The terrorists opened fire on a camp housing labourers of a private company working on the construction of a tunnel in the Gund area of the district, said an official.

“The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar,” J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah posted on X.

Earlier, Omar had said: “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.”

Home minister Amit Shah said that the dastardly terror attack on civilians is a despicable 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 the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he posted on X.

In a post on X, the Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that the "innocent labourers" were engaged in a vital infrastructure project in Gagangir, Sonamarg.

"I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent labourers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project," Gadkari said.

"I offer my humble tribute to the martyred labourers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery," he added.

Police and army have cordoned off the area to track the attackers.

The incident occurred four days after a new government was sworn in in the Union Territory.

On Friday, the bullet-riddled body of a labourer from Bihar was found in Shopian district, officials said.