The unidentified terrorists carried out the attack when the labourers and other staff working on the tunnel project at Gund in Ganderbal had returned to their camp late in the evening.
A doctor and six labourers were killed when terrorists struck a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Sunday, officials said.
The unidentified terrorists carried out the attack when the labourers and other staff working on the tunnel project at Gund in Ganderbal had returned to their camp late in the evening, the officials said.
They said the terrorists — believed to be at least two — opened indiscriminate fire on the group of labourers that included both locals and non-locals.
VIDEO | Visuals from Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district where a doctor and six labourers were killed in a terror attack on a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on Sunday.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/RBuk683sfF
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2024
#WATCH | J&K | Security forces took position & cordoned off the area in Gaganger, Sonamarg, Ganderbal, following a terror attack yesterday. Authorities launched a search operation to neutralize the attackers and ensure the safety of the region.
(Visuals deferred by unspecified… pic.twitter.com/kEgFah4ee8
— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2024
Jammu and Kashmir: Following a terror attack yesterday, security forces positioned themselves and cordoned off the area in Gaganger, Sonamarg, Ganderbal pic.twitter.com/AE0kjgjIQp
— IANS (@ians_india) October 21, 2024
While two labourers died on the spot, four others and the doctor succumbed to their injuries subsequently, the officials said, adding that five people are undergoing treatment for injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Dr Shahnawaz, Faheem Nazir, Kaleem, Mohammad Hanif, Shashi Abrol, Anil Shukla and Gurmeet Singh.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the attackers, the officials said.
Top security officials, including Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, V K Birdi, have reached the spot to assess the situation.
Amit Shah Condemns Attack
Condemning the terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said those involved in the heinous act will not be spared.
“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,” Shah said in a post on X.