Jammu and Kashmir: Five migrant laborers killed by terrorists
What's the story
In a terrible piece of news, terrorists gunned down five migrant laborers, hailing from West Bengal's Murshidabad district, on Tuesday. Another laborer was critically injured in the attack which took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. Terrorists struck the victims on a day when a European Union delegation paid a visit to J&K with an intention to assess the on-ground situation. Here's more.
What happened
In dastardly attack, terrorists dragged laborers out, shot them
According to J&K police, 3-4 unidentified terrorists barged into the rented accommodation in Katrasoo village, where the laborers were staying, dragged them out before shooting them mercilessly. Three laborers are said to be missing. All the victims were working as masons and carpenters. Subsequently, a high alert was sounded, with Army, CRPF and J&K police cordoning off the area and launching a search operation.
Attacks
Those who have migrated to Kashmir are being targeted
This is the fifth attack in two weeks in which those not hailing from J&K were targeted. On Monday, a truck driver was shot dead. He had parked his vehicle, laden with apples, in the Anantnag district. In a separate incident, at least 19 civilians got injured after terrorists hurled a grenade in South Kashmir's Sopore. Earlier, this month, three truck drivers were killed.
Reaction
Words can't take away the grief, said Bengal CM Mamata
Reacting to the unfortunate news, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was shocked and hurt. "Words will not take away the grief of the families of the deceased. All help will be extended to the families in this tragic situation," the Trinamool matriarch tweeted. Of the five deceased, three were identified as Sheikh Kamrudin, Sheikh Mohammed Rafiq and Sheikh Murnsulin.
Article 370
In August, Centre revoked Article 370, countless migrants fled
To note, J&K has been tense since August when BJP-led Centre rescinded Article 370 and divided the state into two UTs. Before going ahead with the decision, Centre put the border state under an unprecedented security cover to deal with any violent fallout. Reportedly, countless migrant laborers fled the state in the past two months. The ones who chose to stay are being targeted.