In a tragic incident on Sunday evening, seven people lost their lives and five others were injured in a terrorist attack in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack occurred around 8 PM when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of workers from Apco Infratech, who are involved in the construction of a crucial 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel, connecting Gagangir to the tourist destination of Sonamarg. This area is situated along the main highway linking the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed the incident, stating that “a terror incident was reported in Gagangir, and the area has been cordoned off by security forces while an investigation is ongoing.
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his sorrow over the attack in a post on X, stating, “Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack… at Gagangir in the Sonamarg region. These individuals were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and extend my condolences to their families.
After the recent terror attack Home Minister Amit Shah also issued a statement on social media platform X. In his tweet, he expressed his condolences and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring security and peace in the region. He also reiterated the need for a united effort against terrorism.
Witnesses reported that gunfire erupted as some workers were returning home after attending evening prayers at local mosques. Locals indicated that the attackers likely entered the construction camp and targeted workers near the dining area, where they were preparing for dinner. Several local residents also sustained injuries in the incident.
This attack follows a previous incident last Friday, where a non-local laborer, Ashok Chauhan from Bihar, was briefly kidnapped and later killed in Shopian district. The ongoing violence in the region highlights the precarious security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
