Sonamarg Attack: Budgam Doctor, 5 Workers Killed

Srinagar: A doctor and five migrant workers were killed when militants opened fire at a construction site at Gagangir in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Sunday evening, NDTV quoted official sources as saying.

The number of casualties can go up, sources, as per the report, said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack on non-local labourers “dastardly and cowardly”.

“The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar,” Mr Abdullah posted on X.

The militants had opened fire on a camp housing labourers of a private company, who were working on an under-construction tunnel in Gund area. The police and army have cordoned off the area to track the attackers.

While the slain doctor has been identified as one Shahnawaz Ahmad of Nadigam, Budgam, the five non-local victims are Gurmeet Singh son of Dharam Singh of Punjab aged about 30 yrs, Inder Yadav son of Gareeb Dass of Bihar age 35 yrs, Mohan Lal son of Somnath of Kathua aged about 29/30 yrs, Fayaz Ahmad Lone son of Zahoor Ahmad Lone of Preng Kangan aged about 26 yrs and Jagtar Singh son of Surah Singh of Kathua aged about 30 yrs.

A post from the X handle of Jammu and Kashmir Police read, “Terror incident in Gagangeer, Ganderbal. Area cordoned off by security forces. Further details shall follow”.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has condemned the “horrific” attack. In a post on X, the minister said the “innocent labourers” were engaged in a vital infrastructure project.

“I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent labourers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project,” Mr Gadkari’s post read.

“I offer my humble tribute to the martyred labourers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery,” he added.