SRINAGAR, Oct 30: A migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh was allegedly shot dead by suspected terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday, police said.
The area has been cordoned off and searches have been intensified in the adjoining localities, police said.
“Terrorists fired upon one labourer identified as Mukesh of U.P in Tumchi Nowpora area of Pulwama, who later on succumbed to his injuries. Area cordoned off,” Kashmir Zone Police said on X (formerly Twitter).
This was the second attack in Pulwama in the past 24 hours. Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani was shot thrice on Sunday while he was playing cricket in the Eidgah area of Srinagar city.
The security forces have intensified the checking of vehicles and pedestrians in Pulwama and other parts of Kashmir Valley following the attacks. Mobile vehicle checkpoints have been established at all major intersections in Srinagar as well as at the city’s exit points.
The attacks on migrant workers have witnessed an increase in the past few months. Monday’s attack was the third such incident this year. A circus worker was killed by the terrorists in May this year in Anantnag district of South Kashmir followed by gunning down and injuring three labourers from Bihar in Shopian district in July.
Security has been beefed up across Kashmir valley, especially in Srinagar and South Kashmir areas, following the two terror attacks, the officials said.
Mobile vehicle checkpoints have been established at all major intersections in Srinagar as well as at the city’s exit points, they added.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said threats are still around and policemen have to be cautious about incidents like the attack on a police officer.
“We have to be cautious. The threats are still around, we cannot take these so lightly. We have to be careful, and I pray that he would come out of it,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function.
The terror incidents have drawn widespread condemnation from various political parties in J&K.
National Conference Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned both incidents and questioned the claims made by the Jammu and Kashmir administration about normalcy in the Union Territory.
“The news from Pulwama is not good as we lost an innocent man to senseless killing. Yesterday’s incident of shooting and critically injuring a police inspector was a sad incident. My prayers are with him for a speedy recovery”, he added.
“However, having said that, one needs to ask the administration about their claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Everyday something happens. Even Rajouri (in Jammu region) which was terrorism free, sees an encounter every now and then,” he said.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing of the labourer, saying it was “heartbreaking”.
“Migrant workers leave their families to earn their livelihood. To see them being targeted is heartbreaking. Condemn the killing of a labourer in Pulwama today. Deepest condolence to his family,” Mufti posted on X.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday strongly condemned the militant attack on JK Police officer in Eidgah area of Srinagar and non-local in Pulwama District leading to the death of non-local and grievously injured officer.
In a statement issued in Srinagar, JKPCC Chief Vikar Rasool Wani condemned the frequent militant attack on security forces personnel, JK Police and targeted killing of civilians including non-locals in strongest words, terming it utter failure of BJP Govt. The security situation has deteriorated to a large extent attributing to the fear of psychosis amongst the common people including non-locals.
Ironically Govt is claiming normalcy whilst our security forces are sacrificing their lives in line of the duty fighting against terrorism. Militancy has revived again due to the failures of the BJP Govt at Centre, Wani added.
JKPCC Chief said that we all are united against terrorism and stand behind our brave soldiers, security forces and JKP personnel. He urged upon the Govt to take immediate measures to curb terrorism and also questioned the tall claim by BJP on return of normalcy in J&K.
JKPCC Chief expressed heartfelt condolences to family of slain non local and prayed for speedy recovery of injured JKP Officer.
Apni Party leader Altaf Bukhari said in a post on X, “Deeply aggrieved by the killing of an innocent non-local in Pulwama district. The killing is absolutely senseless and won’t serve any purpose to anyone. Hope the authorities nab the culprits very soon to make them pay for their act.”
People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone, while condemning the attacks, said the scourge of violence is back and “senseless brutal attack on a police officer yesterday and the killing of a labourer in Pulwama today is indicative of the desperation of these brutal thugs”.
