Massive Hunt in South Kashmir: Security Forces on High Alert After Terrorist Attack
Srinagar, August 2: In a shocking turn of events, two migrant labourers were brutally killed in a terrorist attack on Friday evening in Hablishi village, Kulgam district of south Kashmir. The incident has sent shockwaves across the Valley, prompting a massive hunt by security forces to track down the perpetrators.
Tight Security Measures in Place
The joint teams of the Army, J&K Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have cordoned off the Hablishi village, restricting movement and deploying armoured vehicles on approach roads. Entry and exit to the village remain under strict security control, with additional checkpoints established and frisking and vehicle checking intensified.
A Valley-Wide Security Alert
The attack, the first targeted killing of seasonal migrant workers in Kashmir since October 2024, has triggered a Valley-wide security alert. Security officials have reinforced security measures around brick kilns, construction sites, industrial units, and other locations employing migrant labourers. This includes brick kilns in twin villages of Hablishi and Kilam, which are home to nearly a dozen brick kilns where hundreds of labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and other states work during the April-October season.
Preliminary Investigation Reveals Details
According to preliminary investigation, the victims – Deepak Ratre, 24, and Bhupinder Bhaina, 25, both residents of Chhattisgarh – were sitting outside their accommodation near the brick kiln when terrorists carrying a bag approached them and engaged them in conversation. Moments later, gunshots were heard, and the attackers escaped. Deepak Ratre died on the spot, while Bhupinder Bhaina succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Saturday morning despite efforts by doctors.
Security Officials Point to a Deliberate Attempt
Security officials said the nature of the attack points to a deliberate attempt to target non-local workers and create fear among the migrant community. They added that such attacks are aimed at disrupting the improving security environment and affecting economic activity in the Valley.
High-Level Security Review Meeting
Following the attack, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and senior officers from the Army, police, and intelligence agencies. The LG directed security agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the protection of migrant workers and ordered intensified, intelligence-based anti-terror operations to track down and neutralise those responsible.
Concerns Among Migrant Workers
The latest attack has revived concerns among migrant workers, many of whom have continued working in Kashmir despite sporadic targeted killings over the past several years. Authorities estimate that between 3 lakh and 5 lakh seasonal migrant workers arrive in Kashmir every year to work in construction, agriculture, brick kilns, horticulture, and allied sectors.
Ongoing Search Operation
The ongoing search operation in Kulgam and adjoining areas will continue until the attackers are tracked down, while security agencies have vowed to further intensify counter-terror operations to prevent similar attacks and reassure the migrant workforce. As the Valley remains on high alert, the people of Kashmir and migrant workers are eagerly waiting for the security forces to apprehend the culprits and restore peace in the region.