Srinagar: Two non local migrant labourers were killed in an overnight grenade attack in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. This comes three days after a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead.
Police said a local “hybrid terrorist” of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) who lobbed the grenade at the migrant labourers has been arrested along with his associate.
The grenade was lobbed at the labourers from Uttar Pradesh at Harmen Shopian when they were asleep at their accommodation, the police said.
“Terrorists lobbed hand grenade in Harmen Shopian in which two labourers from UP namely Monish Kumar & Ram Sagar, both residents of Kanooj, UP got injured. They were shifted to hospital where they succumbed..,” a police tweet said.
The area was later cordoned by the security forces.
Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that a “hybrid terrorist” of LeT, who lobbed the grenade, was arrested by police within hours after the attack.
“The main attacker, a hybrid terrorist, was arrested during the night. He has confessed. Later his associate was also arrested … The attacker was working for Lashker Commanders Danish and (LeT)district commander Abid,” Kumar told reporters in Shopian. “We have been carried raids at hideouts disclosed by the arrested hybrid terrorist and further investigation is going on.”
Kumar said non locals labourers remain a soft target as they don’t have security.
“We will give a befitting response and the perpetrators behind the attack will be neutralized soon,” ADGP said.
The attack on non locals took place three days after a Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat was shot dead by militants in the Shopian district.
There has been a spurt in targeted killings of non locals and minorities in the last few years, especially after the Centre scrapped J&K special status in August 2019. This year, 17 civilians including six non locals, three Kashmiri Pandits and three non Mulsims from J&K have been killed.
The killing of labourers has been widely condemned.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said the security forces have been directed to launch coordinated counter terror operations.
“Words cannot adequately condemn today’s barbaric terror attack on Manish Kumar and Ram Sagar from Kannauj, UP. My deepest condolence to their families. One terrorist has been arrested & hunt is on for the others. Security apparatus has been directed to launch coordinated CT ops,” the office of LG tweeted.
“District administration Shopian has deputed senior officers to make arrangements for transportation of the mortal remains to their respective villages with full honours.”
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said there is no sense of “security & dignity” for “anyone” living in J&K.
“Distressing to know that two labourers were killed in an attack. At the risk of sounding repetitive, there is no sense of security & dignity for anyone living in J&K. These issues will be resolved only when GOI acknowledges that they exist,” she tweeted.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone termed the attackers as goons who will rot in hell.
“Waking up to the horrific news of the dastardly killing of two people who happen to be non locals. Their journey to earn a livelihood ends in blood bath at the hands goons. These goons will rot in hell Inshallah,” he tweeted.
President – Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party Altaf Bukahri said the perpetrators of the attack must be held accountable and brought to justice.
“Deeply shocked over the killing of two labourers in Shopian. I condemn this heinous and despicable act of violence. The vicious circle of violence must stop now. The perpetrators of the attack must be held accountable and brought to justice,” he tweeted.
CPI(M) Central Committee Member M Y Tarigami each one must raise voice to condemn such barbaric acts of violence.
“One more shocking criminal act. Two poor labourers who had come to earn their livelihood lost their lives to a despicable attack. Each one of us must raise our voice to condemn such barbaric acts of violence,” Tarigami tweeted.
