SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered an intensified and coordinated security response across Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of two brick-kiln labourers from Chhattisgarh in southern Kulgam.
The attack, carried out by suspected militants on Friday evening, has renewed concerns over the safety of non-local workers and prompted a high-level review of security protocols, operational readiness and protective measures for vulnerable groups.
Chairing an emergency security meeting at Lok Bhavan here, the Lt. Governor directed all Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to undertake a comprehensive review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to safeguard labourers from outside the Union Territory. He emphasised that employers must ensure insurance coverage for all migrant workers and register their details with local police and district administrations to facilitate monitoring and rapid response.
Sinha stressed the need for “precise, high-impact anti-terror operations” to neutralise militant threats and instructed security agencies to strengthen the grid across sensitive zones. He also directed officials to ensure dignified last rites for the victims and extend full support to their families.
The terror attack in Kelam, Kulgam, claimed the lives of Deepak Ratray (24) and Bhupendra (28), both residents of Chhattisgarh and employed at Brick Kiln No. 70-B. Militants opened fire on the two workers, critically injuring them. Deepak was declared dead at Government Medical College Anantnag, while Bhupendra succumbed to his injuries early Saturday at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) despite sustained medical efforts.
Security forces launched a massive cordon-and-search operation soon after the attack, and additional deployments have been made across south Kashmir. Police have registered a case and are pursuing multiple leads to identify and neutralise the perpetrators.
Condemning the attack as “cowardly,” the Lt. Governor said he had spoken to the DGP and senior officials to ensure that the attackers are brought to justice. He expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives and assured the bereaved families of full administrative support, stating that the “entire nation stands firmly with them during this difficult time.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the killings and announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of the deceased.
The Chief Minister expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives and said the assistance would be in addition to the ₹6 lakh immediate relief being provided by the District Administration.
He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed that the Government stands firmly with them during this difficult time.
Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for strength and courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
Former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said, “I unequivocally condemn the killings. They (non-local labourers) 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.”
Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq expressed deep grief over the killing of two non-local labourers. He said that Islam upholds the sanctity of every innocent human life and unequivocally condemns the killing of innocent persons. He said targeting poor labourers who have come to earn an honest livelihood is completely contrary to the teachings of Islam and the values of humanity.
CPIM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami termed it a cowardly attack which, he said, should be condemned by all. “These migrant workers travel thousands of kilometres to earn an honest living and support their families back home. Attacking them is nothing short of sheer brutality. Such barbaric violence is unacceptable, and those responsible must be brought to justice,” he said.
This incident marks the second major terror attack in the Valley within ten days, following the killing of India Reserve Police (IRP) Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag’s Lal Chowk on July 22. The latest attack is expected to further intensify ongoing counter-terror operations aimed at preventing a resurgence of targeted violence against migrant labourers and civilians.
In the aftermath of that attack, security agencies intensified anti-militancy operations across south Kashmir. Authorities demolished the family houses of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in Anantnag district, while more than 2,500 former militants and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were detained for questioning and verification as part of a large-scale security exercise. Officials said the operations were aimed at preventing further militant strikes, gathering actionable intelligence and dismantling support networks that could facilitate attacks on security personnel and civilians.
At Friday night’s meeting the security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra were also reviewed, with instructions to further fortify the pilgrimage route and associated facilities. The administration continues to strengthen security arrangements for the pilgrimage, with officials reiterating that safeguarding pilgrims, migrant workers and civilians remains an urgent priority.