The 2024 Ganderbal Attack occurred on October 20, 2024, when militants targeted workers at a construction site in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack.[2]
| 2024 Ganderbal Attack | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
 The Resistance Front |
| ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Unknown | Not disclosed | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| Unknown | 7 killed[1] | ||||
Background
editThe attack took place at a construction site for the Z-Morh Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The workers involved, both local and non-local, were employed by APCO Infratech, a construction company from Uttar Pradesh.[3]
Attack and Response
editMilitants opened fire on the workers at the construction site, killing Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar and six migrant laborers. The militants fled the scene immediately after the attack, prompting a large-scale search operation by security forces, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police.[4]
Security forces, including sniffer dogs and drones, were deployed to track down the militants, and operations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible. There were no reports of any civilian casualties in the attack.[5]
Political and Social Reactions
editThe attack drew widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party, called on the Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by Manoj Sinha and Omar Abdullah, to ensure that non-local workers do not flee the Valley out of fear. She stressed that encouraging them to leave would send a negative message and exacerbate the region's challenges.[6]
Other Militant Claims
editIn addition to TRF's claim, another militant group, the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF)*, praised the attack. PAFF referred to the Z-Morh tunnel as a "military project" and claimed the attack was part of efforts to disrupt Indian military deployments towards the eastern border. PAFF called for local workers to avoid involvement in such projects, labeling them as "death traps."[7]
References
edit- ^ "Doctor, 7 migrant workers killed in Ganderbal terror attack". India Today. 20 October 2024.
- ^ "TRF claims responsibility for Ganderbal attack". Times of India. 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Seven killed in attack on workers at Z-Morh tunnel site". NDTV. 20 October 2024.
- ^ "7 killed in Ganderbal, search operations underway". Hindustan Times. 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Security forces hunt militants after Ganderbal attack". The Hindu. 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Mufti calls for intervention to prevent non-locals from leaving Kashmir". The Print. 22 October 2024.
- ^ "PAFF praises TRF for Ganderbal attack". Times of India. 22 October 2024.