Srinagar/Kulgam, July 31, 2026: Terrorists opened fire on two non-local (migrant) workers in the Kellam (also referred to as Kelam) area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir on Friday evening, killing one and seriously injuring the other, according to Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Officials said the attackers targeted the two labourers at Kellam. Both were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. One of them later succumbed to his injuries, while the second was referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for advanced treatment.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track the attackers. Identities of the victims were still awaited at the time of initial reports, and further details regarding the exact sequence of the attack, the weapons used, and any claim of responsibility remained pending.
Official Confirmation and Immediate Response
Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed the incident through official channels. Asian News International (ANI) quoted the police as stating that “one nonlocal worker was killed and another injured after terrorists fired upon them in Kellam area of Kulgam district. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track the attackers.”
Daily Excelsior reported that the two workers were injured in the attack at Kellam, shifted to a nearby hospital, after which one succumbed and the other was moved to GMC Anantnag. Security forces responded by sealing the area and beginning intensive search operations.
The incident occurred in the evening of Friday, 31 July 2026. No group had publicly claimed responsibility in the immediate aftermath, consistent with the pattern of many recent targeted civilian attacks in the region where groups often remain silent or issue delayed statements.
Context of Attacks on Non-Local Workers
Targeted killings of non-local labourers and migrant workers have been a recurring tactic used by terrorist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in South Kashmir districts such as Kulgam, Shopian, and Anantnag. These workers, mostly from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab, form a critical part of the local economy—working in orchards, construction, brick kilns, and other seasonal and unskilled jobs.
Historically, such attacks have aimed to create fear, disrupt economic activity, and discourage outsiders from working in the Valley. Notable past incidents include the 2019 Kulgam massacre in which five migrant labourers from West Bengal were lined up and shot dead in the Kitrusu area, and multiple smaller attacks in subsequent years that killed or injured non-local workers in Kulgam and neighbouring districts.
The pattern intensified at various points after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, with groups linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and The Resistance Front (TRF) frequently targeting soft civilian targets, including migrant labourers, truck drivers, and political workers.
Security Situation in South Kashmir
Kulgam district has remained a focus of counter-terror operations. In recent weeks, security had already been tightened in the district following the killing of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in a targeted attack in Anantnag on 22 July 2026. Multiple checkpoints and search operations had been underway along key routes, including the National Highway, in the aftermath of that incident.
The Friday attack on the labourers adds to the list of civilian-targeted violence even as security forces continue intensive operations against remaining terrorist modules and over-ground workers in South Kashmir.
Current Status
As of the latest available reports on the evening of 31 July 2026:
- One non-local labourer is confirmed dead.
- The second remains under treatment at GMC Anantnag; his condition was described as serious in initial accounts.
- Identities of both victims have not been officially released.
- A cordon-and-search operation is underway in and around Kellam.
- No arrests or encounters related to the specific attack had been reported immediately after the incident.
Further updates from police and hospital authorities are expected as investigations progress and the search operation continues. Authorities are also likely to review security arrangements for non-local workers in the district in the coming days.
This remains a developing story. Officials have urged against the spread of unverified information regarding the identities or exact circumstances of the victims.
