Two Chhattisgarh migrant workers shot dead by terrorists in J&K’s Kulgam; CM Sai orders assistance, Mahant seeks support for families
Raipur
Two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh were shot dead by terrorists at a brick kiln in Kelam, around 20 kilometres from Kulgam in Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday evening. Security forces, including the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, have launched a massive search operation after cordoning off the area.
The victims were identified as Deepak Ratre (24) from Bundeli village in Sakti district and Bhupendra Bhaina (28) from Chhuiha village in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district.
According to preliminary investigations, the terrorists asked the migrant workers to reveal their names before separating the two victims from the group. They then opened fire from close range, firing three to four rounds at around 8:30 pm, killing both on the spot.
Investigating agencies suspect the involvement of one local and one foreign terrorist, with initial leads pointing towards operatives linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba/The Resistance Front (TRF).
Deepak Ratre had been working at the brick kiln in Jammu and Kashmir for nearly a year along with his wife and brother. Bhupendra Bhaina is survived by his two-year-old son, sister and grandmother.
Following the incident, the Chhattisgarh government initiated the process to bring the bodies of both workers back to their native villages.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep grief over the killings and directed state officials to coordinate with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure all possible assistance reaches the bereaved families.
Leader of Opposition and Sakti MLA Dr Charandas Mahant also expressed condolences over the attack. He spoke with Chhattisgarh Additional Director General (Intelligence) Amit Kumar to gather details of the incident and instructed officials to remain in contact with the victims’ families while ensuring every possible support is extended to them.
The attack comes just ten days after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was killed in a terrorist attack in Anantnag’s Lal Chowk while on Amarnath Yatra security duty.
