A day after terrorists attacked migrant labourers in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the second injured worker, Bhupender from Chhattisgarh, died while undergoing treatment at SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar on Saturday morning, 1st August. He was first taken to Government Medical College, Anantnag, and later shifted to SKIMS due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Sad News this morning. Second person injured in the terror attack in Kulgam of South Kashmir has also died. He was Bhupinder from Chhattisgarh. Earlier Deepak from Chhattisgarh was killed last night in the terror attack in Kulgam. https://t.co/4c9lWFt3qy
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 1, 2026
The other victim, Deepak Ratray, died on Friday evening, 31st July, before he could be taken to a hospital.
According to Jammu and Kashmir Police Inspector General V K Birdi, the attack took place in Kelam village of Kulgam district. Officials said the terrorists opened fire on the two labourers at a brick kiln where they were working late on Friday evening, killing Deepak on the spot and leaving Bhupender critically injured.
Following the attack, security forces sealed the area and launched a search operation to trace those responsible.
Security tightened after attack
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior security officials after the incident. He directed security forces to intensify operations and eliminate the terrorists behind the attack.
He said the police and security forces have cordoned off the area and are carrying out an operation to bring the attackers to justice.
Second terror attack in less than 10 days
The Kulgam incident is the second terror attack in less than 10 days. Earlier, terrorists shot dead a police officer in Anantnag.
Non-local workers have increasingly become targets in the Valley after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Although they had mostly remained safe during three decades of militancy, more than 25 migrant workers have been killed in different attacks over the last six years.
The last targeted killing of non-local workers took place on 18th October 2024, when militants killed Ashok Chauhan, a 30-year-old worker from Bihar. Two days later, a terror attack at the Z-Morh tunnel base camp on the Srinagar-Leh highway killed six non-local workers and a Kashmiri doctor.
Political leaders condemn killings
The attack drew strong reactions from political leaders. PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said it was heartbreaking that workers who had come far from home to support their families were targeted in such a cruel act.
The ruling National Conference said the labourers had come only to earn a living and such killings have no place in any civilised society. The party also questioned the security situation despite official claims.
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, described the attack as “cowardly and barbaric” and said it was an attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
