One of the two labourers has been transported to GMC Hospital in Anantnag following a suspected terrorist attack on July 31, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Suspected terrorists shot dead a non-local worker and injured another in a targeted attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam on Friday evening (July 31, 2026). It is the second targeted attack in south Kashmir since July 22.
A top police official told The Hindu that two non-locals were fired upon in Kulgam’s Kilam. “One died (in the firing incident) and another was being operated (in a hospital),” said the senior officer.
The police could not identify the victims immediately. Officials said the injured non-local was being treated at the Government Medical College, Anantnag, “for advanced treatment”.
Preliminary reports suggested that suspected terrorists fired upon the non-locals after the sundown and escaped from the spot, taking the cover of darkness. Security forces have cordoned off the attack site and a search operation is to trace the attackers.
Suspected terrorists have begun attacking non-locals in south Kashmir after a long lull. On July 22, terrorists shot dead a policeman manning the Amarnath yatra route in Anantnag. Later, security forces rounded up 3,500 suspects and blasted two houses of the families of the active terrorists in south Kashmir.
Official sources said both the labourers were from Chhattisgarh and worked at a brick kiln.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is in charge of law and order, said he spoke with J&K Director General of Police 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. The J&K administration and the entire nation stand with the families,” he said.
The attack evoked strong condemnation from regional parties. “Unequivocally condemn the killing. They work themselves to the bone far away from home only to feed their families. Unimaginably cruel to target them in such senseless acts of violence,” said Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti.
J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari termed the incident as “a deeply tragic and inhuman act of violence and terrorism”. He said: “Such tragic incidents shake us all. Those behind this heinous crime must be beasts to have attacked two innocent people who were here only to earn a livelihood for their families back home. I am sure the security agencies will soon nab the perpetrators so that they are brought to justice.”
BJP J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur described the incident as a “cowardly, barbaric and inhuman act” that is “aimed at disrupting the prevailing atmosphere of peace and normalcy in J&K.”
“Such barbaric acts are an assault on humanity and on the centuries-old traditions of brotherhood and hospitality for which Kashmir is known,” he said.
Mr. Thakur said the perpetrators and those supporting them must be brought to justice without delay. “I urge the police leadership and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, identify every terrorist involved in this dastardly attack, dismantle the entire network behind the crime and ensure that the perpetrators face the strictest punishment under the law,” he added.
This is a developing story. Kindly visit later for more updates.
Published – July 31, 2026 09:37 pm IST
