In a ruthless targeted killing, terrorists shot down six laborers and a doctor at a military tunnel construction site in Gagangir in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Terrorists opened fire when the workers were gathering for dinner at their camp.
The dead include Dr. Shahnawaz of Kashmir’s Budgam, Gurmeet Singh from Punjab, Mohammad Haaneef, Faheem Nasir (Safety Manager) and Kaleem from Bihar, Anil Kumar Shukla (Mechanical Manager) from Madhya Pradesh, and Shashi Abrol (Designer) from Jammu.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an off-shoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the brutal murders. TRF chief Sheikh Sajjad Gul plotted and executed the Kashmir terror attack with the support of the group’s local module, claims TRF’s social media statement.
It further read, “We have repeatedly warned both locals and non-locals through verbal communication and official statements against involvement in illegal projects.”
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the probe against one of the deadliest targeted killings in recent times. However, journalists were restricted at Manigam, located 50 km from the assault site, as security forces are conducting search operations.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha have condemned the Kashmir terror attack. Some social media users, however, have objected to Omar Abdullah using the word ‘militants’ instead of ‘terrorists.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, in a bold statement, said: “I want to tell the leadership in Pakistan that if they want good relations with India, they need to put an end to this. Kashmir Pakistan nahi banega (Kashmir will never become Pakistan). Let us live with dignity and succeed.”
In another terror-related news, armed forces have neutralized a heavily armed terrorist. The joint operation by J&K Police and the Indian Army followed an intelligence tip-off on an infiltration bid at the URI area of Baramulla district. Forces suspect the presence of another militant.
Infiltration along the Uri frontier is relatively rare compared to the Kupwara sector, as it’s guarded heavily by the border forces. Security personnel involved in the operation have seized an AK Rifle, magazines, pistols, and other war-like stores from the encounter site, according to a statement from the Chinar Corps.
Source: NDTV | Hindustan Times | TOI