Labourer shot dead in Shopian

Srinagar, Oct 18: A non-local labourer from Bihar was shot dead by militants in the Wandana Malhora area of the Shopian district in south Kashmir early Friday morning following which a manhunt was launched to trace the attackers.

The victim was identified as Ashok Chauhan, who was in his thirties and hailed from Banka district of Bihar.

Police said the attack occurred around 9 am while Chauhan, a corn seller by profession, was in the village to collect corn.

He had been residing in the Sangam area of Anantnag district where he used to earn his living.

On Friday, he travelled to the remote village of Wandana Malhora to procure corn when militants targeted him.

“He was collecting corn from fields and was shot from a point-blank range,” Police said.

Senior Police officials told Greater Kashmir that Chauhan was shot in the neck, resulting in his on-the-spot death.

“Ashok Chauhan was out to collect corn when terrorists shot him. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, and a manhunt has been launched to track down the assailants,” officials said.

Security forces have intensified operations in the area, with additional checkpoints and patrols being set up to prevent further attacks.

Search operations in the surrounding areas have been initiated in an effort to apprehend those responsible for the brutal killing.

This is the first suspected militant attack targeting a migrant worker after the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

Militants last killed a migrant worker in Bijbehara town of Anantnag on April 17.