Ganderbal Attack Leaves Seven Dead, Including Doctor and Non-Local Workers, in Jammu and Kashmir

In a tragic turn of events on October 20, 2024, seven individuals, including six non-local workers and a local doctor, were killed in a terrorist attack at a workers' camp near the Srinagar-Leh Highway in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir. The victims were part of a construction team working on the Z-Morh tunnel, a project designed to provide year-round connectivity to the strategically important Ladakh region. This area, given its proximity to both Pakistan and China, has become a focal point for infrastructural development and security concerns.

Attack Overview

The attack occurred around 7:25 pm on Sunday evening when the workers, employed by APCO Infrastructure, were either dining or preparing for their meal. The camp, located just below an approach road to the Z-Morh tunnel, was strategically positioned between barren mountains and the national highway. The tunnel, once completed, will connect Sonamarg and facilitate all-season travel, which is expected to boost local tourism and economy.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants, later identified as two foreign terrorists, entered the camp and began firing indiscriminately. Initial investigations revealed that the terrorists were armed with a U.S.-made M4 Carbine and an AK-47 assault rifle, firing relentlessly for approximately seven minutes. They targeted workers in various areas of the camp, leaving behind 37-40 spent cartridges, as later discovered by investigators.

CCTV Footage and Investigation

CCTV footage from the camp has played a crucial role in piecing together the timeline of events. Although the camp's entry point did not have camera coverage, footage from inside the dining area showed the attackers entering, opening fire, and wreaking havoc on workers and the camp's mess area. Officials believe that the attackers were familiar with the layout of the camp, which raises suspicions about possible local assistance.

Security forces, including senior police officials and a team from the National Investigating Agency (NIA), quickly arrived at the scene. The investigators questioned over 40 people from nearby villages, focusing on identifying potential local handlers or informants who might have provided support to the attackers. Authorities are also reviewing their database for any leads on the terrorists' identities, speculated to be part of a new, highly active terror network in the region.

Terrorist Group and Attack Responsibility

The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. TRF has been increasingly involved in targeting non-locals, security personnel, and other civilians in Jammu and Kashmir over the last two years. According to intelligence sources, the group conducted reconnaissance of the Sonamarg area in the month leading up to the attack, with Sunday’s strike being one of its deadliest assaults on migrant workers.

TRF leader Sheikh Sajjad Gul, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, has been on the radar of security agencies for several months. Sources indicated that Gul’s group is actively targeting both locals and non-locals, marking a shift in their strategy. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to apprehend the terrorists responsible and dismantle the local TRF module involved in the Ganderbal attack.

Victims and Aftermath

Among the seven killed was Dr. Shahnawaz, a respected local doctor from Budgam in Kashmir, along with six workers from other states, including Shashi Bhushan Abrol and Gurmeet Singh. Four others sustained injuries during the attack and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

The attack has not only caused immense grief to the victims' families but has also raised alarm bells regarding the safety of migrant workers and local civilians involved in large-scale infrastructure projects across Jammu and Kashmir. In response, the local administration, along with central government officials, has announced immediate compensation for the victims’ families. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha sanctioned ex gratia relief for the bereaved families, while APCO Infrastructure released ₹25 lakh to assist the families affected by the tragedy.

Government Response and Security Measures

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Roads and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and several local leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, expressed their sorrow and called for swift action against the perpetrators.

In the aftermath of the attack, authorities have tightened security at infrastructure projects in the region, particularly those involving non-local laborers. Given the strategic importance of the Z-Morh tunnel and the ongoing projects in Ladakh, security forces are on high alert. Military personnel, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police have launched a large-scale combing operation in Sonamarg and surrounding areas to ensure that no more attackers remain at large.

Historical Context and Broader Implications

This attack is part of a broader pattern of targeted violence in Jammu and Kashmir, where militants have increasingly focused on attacking civilians, especially non-locals. Earlier this month, migrant worker Ashok Chauhan was killed in Shopian, and in April, terrorists targeted another migrant, Raju Shah, in Anantnag. The TRF's involvement in these attacks underscores its growing influence in the region’s militancy landscape, particularly with its focus on disrupting communal harmony and security initiatives.

The Ganderbal attack has reignited concerns about the ongoing threat of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of increased efforts by the government to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the region. As authorities continue their investigation, the priority remains on bolstering security for civilians, migrant workers, and key projects. The tragic loss of life has left a deep scar, and the region braces for further developments as security agencies work to bring the perpetrators to justice.