Terrorists, allegedly belonging to an offshoot organization of the banned Lashkar-e-Tayyiba outfit, opened fire on civilian labourers and staff working on a tunnel project in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). According to reports, a doctor and six construction workers were killed when terrorists opened fire at the tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway on October 20.
The deceased have been identified as Dr Shahnawaz, Faheem Nazir, Kaleem, Mohammad Hanif, Shashi Abrol, Anil Shukla and Gurmeet Singh. Reports cite officials claiming that two labourers died on the spot while four, including the doctor, succumbed to their injuries during treatment. The alleged duo of unidentified terrorists carried out the attack when the labourers and other staff working on the tunnel project had returned to their camp in the evening. Reports say that a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, led by a senior officer, will investigate the terror attack.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, which came barely four days after he was sworn in as the chief minister of the Union Territory.
“Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,” he said in a post on X.
These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,”
Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned the attack on X saying, “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”.
Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces.
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
Who’s behind the attack?
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Reports cite Sheikh Sajad alias Sajjad Gul, a designated terrorist and founder of the TRF, to be the mastermind behind the attack in J&K. TRF emerged in October 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by the Indian government.
TRF has been involved in several significant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since its emergence, particularly involving targeted attacks on civilians, particularly non-Muslim individuals. These also include encounters with the Indian Army resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Indian military officials.
TRF is an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taeba (translation: Army of the Pure) militant organization actively engaged in insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and designated as a terrorist organization in India.
Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) is a Pakistan-based Sunni (Islam) militant group formed in the early 1990s as the military wing of a Pakistan-based Sunni fundamentalist organization established in the 1980s to oppose the Soviet presence in Afghanistan. Since its formation, LeT has focused on attacking Indian targets in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir with the goal of annexing the disputed Kashmir territory to Pakistan.
According to the US’ counter terrorism department, LeT militants reportedly maintain training camps, schools, and medical clinics in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kashmir. The group is funded primarily by Pakistan-based donors and charitable organizations in the Middle East
LeT gained significant international attention for its role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 170 people. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, India, and the United Kingdom.
Infiltration bid thwarted along the LOC
Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) police successfully neutralized a heavily armed terrorist threat in J&K’s Baramulla district in a joint operation against terrorism.
In a statement on X, the Chinnar Corp, a regional command of the Indian Army responsible for the northern regions of the country, informed that one heavily armed terrorist was killed, and several war-like stores were recovered from the site. The recovered equipment included automatic rifles and pistols.
“The joint team neutralized one heavily armed terrorist and recovered 01xAK Rifle, 02xAK Magazines, 57xAK Rounds, 02xPistols, 03xPistol Magazines and other war-like stores from the site,” read the statement. Further investigation of the site is underway.
Earlier, the security forces had announced a joint operation in Uri, Baramulla district along the Line of Control (LOC) to thwart a likely infiltration plot in the area. Troops spotted suspicious elements and challenged them which resulted in exchange of gunfire between the terror outfit and the Army.
“Based on intelligence inputs regarding likely infiltration bid, a Joint anti-infiltration Operation was launched by Indian Army and the J&K Police along LOC in general area Uri, Baramulla. Alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged, which resulted in terrorists opening indiscriminate fire. Vigilant troops responded with effective fire” the Chinnar Corps said.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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