Srinagar: Militants shot dead two non-local labourers and injured another on Sunday in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, the latest in the series of attacks targeting civilians, police said.
“Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon #NonLocal labourers at Wanpoh area of #Kulgam. In this #terror incident, 02 non-locals were killed and 01 injured,” Kashmir zone Police said on its Twitter handle.
It said police and security forces have cordoned off the area.
According to officials, the militants barged into the rented accommodation of the labourers and fired on them indiscriminately.
The deceased have been identified as Raja Reshi Dev and Joginder Reshi Dev, while Chun Chun Reshi Dev has been injured. All are residents of Bihar, the officials said.
This is the third attack on non-local labourers in less than 24 hours. A street vendor from Bihar and a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh were shot dead by the ultras on Saturday evening.
Amid the spate of civilian killings, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had on Sunday vowed to avenge every drop of their blood by hunting down terrorists and their sympathisers.
Lt Governor condemned the killings and said that his government stands by the families in this time of grief.
He tweeted: “I strongly condemn the despicable terror attack on civilians in Kulgam. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of injured. Our security force will give a befitting reply to terrorists. J&K govt stand by the families in this time of grief.”
J&K Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone condemned the killings strongly.
“Strongly condemn the killing of 2 people. In wonderment how can someone resort to such savage brutality,” Lone tweeted.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami while condemning the killings said that these were a systematic attack on Kashmir, Kashmiri interests and Kashmiri ethos.
“My heart goes out to these families of labourers who toil to earn their wages and contribute immensely to our economic activities.
“These were a systematic attack on Kashmir, Kashmiri interests and Kashmiri ethos.
“We must speak up before these flames will engulf us all,” Tarigami tweeted.
PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killings and tweeted: “There are no words strong enough to condemn the repeated barbaric attacks on innocent civilians. My heart goes out to their families because they leave the comforts of their homes to earn a dignified livelihood. Terribly sad.”
Official handle of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference tweeted: “Unreservedly condemn the barbaric attack in South Kashmir’s Wanpoh, Kulgam that claimed lives of 2 non-locals. May they rest in peace. Our condolences go out to their loved ones, may their families find courage to bear the irreparable loss.”
Apni Party president, Syed Altaf Bukhari, while condemning the killings said: “This senseless carnage is highly reprehensible which has no place in a civilized society. Just after a day when two labourers were killed in Srinagar and Pulwama, this heart-wrenching incident from Kulgam has once again sent waves of fear and panic among the non-local residents.”
BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur while condemning the killings said: “The gruesome murder of non-locals is nothing but inhuman and shows the frustration of militants.”
