J&K: UP migrant laborers killed in grenade attack; terrorist held
Two migrant laborers hailing from Uttar Pradesh were killed in a grenade attack in the early hours of Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, where terrorists earlier shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit on Saturday. Following the incident, a manhunt was launched by cordoning off the area, which led to the arrest of a "hybrid" terrorist within hours of the attack. Here's more.
Why does this story matter?
J&K has been witnessing increased targeted killings since the second half of 2021. A majority of Kashmiri Pandit employees are demanding relocation to Jammu until the situation in Kashmir improves. Over 40 have been killed as a result of targeted attacks this year, including KPs and security officials. As per official data, nearly 30 migrant workers have been killed in targeted attacks since 2017.
Accused threw grenade while laborers were asleep
The incident occurred in Shopian's Herman village, where terrorists reportedly barged into the laborers' rented accommodation and threw a grenade at them while they were asleep. The deceased, Manish Kumar and Ram Sagar, were both residents of Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district. The Kashmir Zone Police said Imran Bashir Ganie, who is a hybrid terrorist linked to the Pakistan-based banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was arrested.
Kashmir Zone Police tweeted about hybrid terrorist's arrest
Who is a hybrid terrorist?
The arrested terrorist is being interrogated while further raids are underway, said Kashmir's Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). To note, hybrid terrorists are "unlisted radicalized people" who help conduct terror attacks and then return to their routine lives without leaving behind any trace.
Search ops continue to be carried out
Kashmiri Pandit shot dead
Earlier, a Kashmiri Pandit man was shot dead on Saturday by suspected terrorists in the Choudhary Gund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. The deceased was identified as Puran Krishan Bhat, and he was on his way to an orchard when he was shot. This attack had come just two months after two Kashmiri Pandit brothers were targeted in the same district.
