Terrorist Attack in Pulwama: Third Casualty in Jammu and Kashmir This Year

Strategic Insights -

A migrant labourer, Mukesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead by unidentified terrorists in South Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday, marking the third such attack in Jammu and Kashmir this year. The incident comes a day after a terrorist from The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), shot a police inspector while he was playing cricket in Srinagar, critically injuring him. This is the first casualty of a migrant labourer in a terrorist attack in Kashmir this year, following a series of targeted attacks that killed eight migrants last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The attack on migrant labourer Mukesh Kumar is the third in Jammu and Kashmir this year, with five labourers injured in the two earlier attacks.
  • The victims of the attacks include migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal, who were employed in various sectors, including apple orchards and a private school.
  • The police suspect the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba and TRF cadres in the attacks, with some militant groups claiming responsibility.
  • Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has condoled the killing of the labourer, vowing to eliminate the terrorist menace and ensure the safety of everyone in Kashmir.
  • Previous attacks on migrant labourers in Kashmir include the killing of three labourers from Bihar in Gagren, Shopian, on July 13, and the wounding of two labourers in Anantnag town on July 7.

Statistics:

  • Three migrant labourers have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year, with five injured in the two earlier attacks.
  • Eight migrant labourers were killed in targeted attacks across Kashmir last year, causing panic among non-local labourers.
  • Lashkar-e-Taiba and TRF cadres are suspected to be involved in the attacks on migrant labourers.
  • A total of 11 migrant labourers have been injured in targeted attacks in Kashmir this year.
  • 8 migrant labourers were killed last year in targeted attacks across Kashmir.

Sources:

  • HT Digital Content Services
  • Hindustan Times