Terrorists Open Fire in Canteen, Killing Three Workers from Bihar in Jammu and Kashmir Attack

Terrorists Open Fire in Canteen

Madhepura: A terrorist attack in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, left three workers from Bihar dead, including two from Madhepura. Eyewitnesses Mohammad Parvez and Mohammad Jibril recounted the horrifying events that unfolded in a canteen where they were dining when two terrorists opened fire, killing one of their friends, Mohammad Kaleem, and injuring several others. Parvez, who narrowly escaped by hiding in a room, described the chaos as the assailants fired approximately 15 rounds.

The attack occurred around 7 PM as the workers were having their meal. Parvez explained that the distance between the canteen and the room was about 20 meters when the terrorists entered and shot Mohammad Hanif first. Despite urging Kaleem to flee, he hesitated, ultimately falling victim to the gunfire. Witnesses reported that the terrorists terrorized the area for about 30 minutes, claiming a total of nine lives during the assault, with victims’ bodies left unattended for one and a half hours before the army arrived.

Mohammad Kaleem, who was scheduled to return home for his niece’s wedding on 27 October, leaves behind a wife and two young children, aged five and one. The incident has devastated the families of both Kaleem and Hanif, who were the primary breadwinners. The local community is mourning their loss, reflecting on the harsh realities faced by laborers who venture out of Bihar for work in search of better opportunities.

The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident took place at a tunnel construction site along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, leading to increased security measures and ongoing search operations in the region. TRF has gained notoriety for targeting migrant workers and has intensified its activities since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, with a focus on undermining government efforts for stability and rehabilitation in Jammu and Kashmir.