Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 31

Two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh were killed after suspected militants opened fire at a brick kiln in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday, police said.

The victims were identified as 24-year-old Deepak Ratray and Bhupendra, about 28, both residents of Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The two men were working at a brick kiln in the Kellam area when they came under attack, officials said.

They were rushed to a medical facility, but both later succumbed to their injuries.

The attackers fled the scene, taking advantage of darkness, officials said.

“Two have died,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V K Birdi, told local media.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the attackers. Further investigation was under way.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and spoke with the director general of police and senior security officials, directing security forces to intensify operations against those responsible.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the killings and announced ex-gratia assistance of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased. The assistance will be in addition to Rs 6 lakh in immediate relief being provided by the district administration, his office said.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The attack comes amid a history of militant violence targeting migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir.

In recent years, such attacks have included the killing of two construction workers from Punjab in Srinagar in February 2024, a Bihar-based street vendor in Anantnag in April 2024 and a migrant worker from Bihar in Shopian in October 2024.

Seven people, including migrant workers, were also killed in an attack on a construction camp near Gagangeer in Ganderbal district in October 2024.

Thousands of migrant workers travel to Kashmir each year for seasonal employment, particularly in sectors including construction, agriculture and brick kilns.