Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed its initial significant assault on an infrastructure venture. Historically, militants refrained from aiming at large-scale infrastructure developments.
Security personnel cordon off the area after a terrorist attack, in Ganderbal district, Jammu & Kashmir, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.
According to police sources, heavily armed militants targeted a camp where workers of an infrastructure company were staying near Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in J&K. Their intent was to inflict as many casualties as possible.
The firing incident claimed the lives of seven workers employed by the company constructing the Z-Morh tunnel near Gagangir along the Srinagar-Sonamarg road.
Identified as victims were Faheem Nasir hailing from Bihar, Anil Shukhla representing Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Shahnawaz originating from Bidgam in Kashmir, Mohammad Hanif also from Bihar, along with Kaleem and Sashi Abrol both from Bihar, and Gurmeet Singh from Punjab.
Sources reported that a minimum of two militants appeared and began firing randomly at various areas of the camp where the employees were lodged, such as the mess.
A police officer mentioned that the militants appeared to be well-equipped and occupied the camp office for a considerable duration. According to reports from the workers, it appears that the intent behind the attack was to inflict the highest possible number of casualties.
According to sources within law enforcement, a group from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached the location to conduct forensic examinations. It is anticipated that the NIA will assume control of the investigation into the attack.
