Kulgam Terror Attack Death Toll Rises to 2 as Second Migrant Worker Dies

The death toll in the terror attack on migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district has risen to two after another injured labourer succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, officials said on Saturday.

The latest victim has been identified as Bupinder Kumar, while Deepak had died shortly after the attack. Another injured worker from Chhattisgarh is receiving treatment at a hospital.

According to police, unidentified terrorists opened fire on a group of migrant labourers working at a brick kiln in the Kellam area of Kulgam before fleeing the scene. Security forces immediately rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to track down the attackers.

Initial investigations indicate that The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the incident and reviewed the security situation with Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior officials. He directed security agencies to intensify anti-terror operations and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

In a post on X, Sinha expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured labourer. He said the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the entire nation stand firmly with the victims’ families.

The attack comes amid continued concerns over targeted violence against civilians, particularly migrant workers, non-local residents and pilgrims, in Jammu and Kashmir. Security agencies have stepped up counter-terror operations in the region following a series of such attacks, including the 2025 Pahalgam terror strike that claimed 26 lives and prompted an intensified security crackdown.