A non-local labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed, and another was seriously injured on Friday when terrorists opened fire on them at a brick kiln in Kilam village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.
This is the second terror attack in south Kashmir in the last two weeks despite a high security alert.
In the evening, terrorists opened fire on two brick-kiln workers in Kilam village, which is 16 kilometres from Kulgam town.
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Both workers were injured in the attack. One non-local worker succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, while the other was referred to Government Medical College, Anantnag, and later shifted to hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Search operation launched
A senior police officer said that after the attack, the terrorists fled from the spot and a massive search operation has been launched in Kilam village and its surrounding areas. "The security forces are trying to trace the terrorists responsible for this attack."
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that the labourers who were killed and injured in today's terror attack hailed from Chhattisgarh.
"I spoke with the DGP, Shri Nalin Prabhat, and top security officials following the brutal terrorist attack in Kulgam in which a labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed. I strongly condemn this cowardly act. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists. J&K Police and Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an operation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Another injured labourer from Chhattisgarh has been rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and I am praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. J&K administration and the entire nation stand with the families," Sinha wrote on X.
Today’s attack is the second terror attack in south Kashmir in July, and comes after the major terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam in April 2025.
Policeman shot dead at Lal Chowk
Earlier, on July 22, terrorists shot dead a policeman at Lal Chowk Anantnag district. The policeman was deployed on Amarnath Yatra duty. Both attacks took place despite a high security alert in the Valley, especially in South Kashmir, due to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
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Attacks on non-locals have taken place after a gap of two years. Earlier, on April 17, 2024, a non-local vendor from Bihar, identified as Raja Shah, was killed by terrorists in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag district. On February 7, terrorists killed Amritpal Singh, a labourer from Amritsar in Punjab, in the old city area of Srinagar. Another non-local worker, Rohit Mashi, was injured and succumbed to his injuries on February 8.
On October 18, 2022, two migrant labourers from UP were killed after terrorists hurled a grenade at them in Shopian. Earlier, on August 11, suspected terrorists killed a labourer identified as Mohammad Amrez, a resident of Madhepura, Bihar, in Bandipora district in north Kashmir. On August 4, 2022, another migrant labourer was killed and two others injured in a grenade attack at Gadoora in Pulwama district. On June 3, a brick-kiln worker was killed in Budgam district.