In a tragic terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, six construction workers, engineers and a doctor were killed while working on a development project to build a tunnel. The attack occurred when terrorists opened fire on a camp housing workers of a private company, all of whom were dedicated to improving Kashmir’s infrastructure. The victims include Dr. Shahnawaz Dar, a resident of Budgam, Kashmir; Gurmit Singh, a laborer from Gurdaspur, Punjab; Anil Kumar Shukla, a mechanical manager from Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh; Faheem Nasir, a safety manager from Ababakarpur, Vaisali, Bihar; Shashi Bhushan Abrol, a deputy manager from Hari Nagar Talab Tillo, Jammu; Mohammad Hanief, a painter/helper from Shankarpur, Madhepura, Bihar; and Kalim, a painter/helper from Hanuman Nagar Chouraha, Bihar. Several workers were also injured, including Inder Yadav, a laborer from Bihar; Madan Lal, an electrician from Kathua, Jammu; Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, a mess helper from Preng Kangan; Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, a driver from Safapora, Ganderbal; and Jagtar Singh, a laborer from Kathua, Jammu.
The victims were targeted while performing their duties, working tirelessly for the development of Kashmir. This attack, like many others, shows that the terrorists in Kashmir are now focusing their violence on poor and hardworking individuals who are contributing to the region’s progress. The terrorists, who once engaged armed forces and powerful figures, have shifted their focus to the defenseless, knowing that they cannot survive direct confrontations with the military or the state. Their aim is to disturb and halt development in Kashmir, as they fear progress will lead to the eradication of terrorism. The terrorists seek to discredit and disrupt the democratic process because they know that democracy and development go hand in hand, and with both, terrorism cannot thrive.
Over time, as terrorism in Kashmir has significantly decreased and the people have increasingly stood with development and democracy, these terrorists have grown frustrated. They now attempt to assert their presence by attacking those least capable of defending themselves—the poor and the weak—just to show their dwindling strength. This cowardly attack is an example of their desperation to undermine Kashmir’s development and create instability in the region. However, the people of Kashmir continue to reject terrorism and embrace progress, standing firmly with democratic values and the path of peace, rendering terrorism increasingly irrelevant in their lives.
