In a shocking act of violence, gunmen targeted a construction site work camp in Indian-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to several others. This incident, reported on Monday by Indian media, marks one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region this year.
The assault took place on Sunday in Gagangir, located in the Sonamarg region, where workers were engaged in building a tunnel connecting Kashmir to the northern Ladakh region. Among the deceased was a doctor, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack as “dastardly and cowardly,” emphasizing his concern for the safety of “non-local laborers.” He noted that the situation escalated quickly, as initial reports confirmed two fatalities but later revealed multiple injuries among both local and non-local workers.
India’s Interior Minister Amit Shah labeled the killings a “despicable act of cowardice,” vowing that those responsible would face the “harshest” consequences from security forces. The Indian government has long deployed a significant military presence—approximately 500,000 troops—across Kashmir to combat a decades-long insurgency that has resulted in numerous casualties among civilians, soldiers, and militants since 1989.
The attackers reportedly fired automatic weapons from the surrounding forested hills, targeting workers who were part of a critical infrastructure project. Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister of Roads, described the laborers as “innocent” victims of this violence.
Tensions in Kashmir have been heightened since India revoked the region’s limited autonomy in 2019, a decision that was accompanied by mass arrests and a prolonged communications blackout. While the Indian government asserts that this move has helped curb the insurgency, critics argue it has led to a suppression of political freedoms and civil rights.
This latest incident follows other acts of violence in the region, including a tragic attack in June, when nine Indian Hindu pilgrims were killed in a shooting on a bus returning from a shrine in Reasi district. As the situation in Kashmir remains volatile, the safety of civilians continues to be a pressing concern amidst the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over this contested territory.
