Kashmir: Terrorists shoot dead migrant labourer in third attack this year

In the third attack on non-locals in the Valley so far this year, terrorists shot dead a labourer from Bihar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday (April 17).

Officials said the terrorists fired upon Raja Shah from point-blank range at Jablipora in the Bijbehara area, resulting in critical injuries.

Shah was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, the officials said.

The incident took place in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, which is going to polls in the third phase on May 7.

Attacks this year

Earlier this year, terrorists shot dead Amritpal Singh, a worker from Amritsar in Punjab, at the Shalla Kadal locality in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar on February 7.

Another non-local worker, identified as Rohit Mashi, who also hailed from Amritsar, sustained injuries in the incident and succumbed a day later.

On April 8, a non-local cab driver, identified as Dilranjeet Singh, was shot and injured by terrorists in Shopian district.

Politicians condemn attack

Political parties condemned the Anantnag attack in one voice, with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah asserting that such incidents will hinder peace.

“JKNC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah express shock and sadness at the news of Rajshah Ji’s death, who succumbed to grievous injuries after being shot at in Bijbehara today. They vehemently condemn the attack, emphasizing that such acts of terror hinder peace in J&K,” the NC posted on X.

“Senseless act”

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti called it a “senseless act of violence”.

“My deepest condolences to his family,” she added.

BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur also condemned the killing.

“Such acts reflect frustration of adversaries and these acts will in no way revive election boycott politics in Kashmir. Urge police to track down the killers of this innocent man and punish them sternly,” he said.

Voices for peace

Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said people must stand together against such acts.

“Strongly condemn the tragic Bijbehara attack in which a non-local named Raja Shah of Bihar lost his life in this senseless act of violence... This must end, people want peace but militants don’t want peace. We must stand together against this act!” Azad said on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone denounced the “senseless violence” and said such acts of brutality have no place in a civilised society.

(With agency inputs)