Two migrant workers injured in suspected militant attack in Budgam’s Mazhama

SRINAGAR — In a suspected militant attack, two non-local labourers working on the Jal Jeevan Project were injured in Mazhama, Magam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The incident occurred Friday evening as the labourers were carrying out work near the Mazhama graveyard along the banks of Nallah Sukhnag.

According to reports by the news agency KNO, suspected militants opened fire on the two labourers, leaving one injured in the arm and the other in the leg.

Both victims, who are not from Jammu and Kashmir, were reported to be in stable condition after being transferred from SDH Magam to SKIMS Bemina for further treatment.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a search operation has been launched in the area to track down the assailants. “The area has been cordoned off and both labourers are out of danger,” the official added.

The attack marks the third significant incident in the Valley in recent weeks. On October 23, militants struck in Gagangeer, Ganderbal, resulting in the deaths of a local doctor and six labourers. Another attack in Gulmarg last week claimed the lives of two army porters and three soldiers.

Following the Mazhama incident, several political leaders expressed their outrage and called for increased security measures.

Member of Parliament Agha Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the attack and criticized the security apparatus under the current Central administration. “The BJP regime, which directly controls the security in J&K, should be held accountable for these repeated failures,” he stated on social media platform X.

Mehdi also questioned the recent spike in violent incidents following regional elections, suggesting that the timing raised concerns.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra also issued a statement, describing the attack as “highly condemnable and unfortunate.”

He urged the government to take swift action to prevent further incidents and protect non-local workers in the region. “Strengthening security measures is imperative to ensure everyone’s safety,” he emphasized.

Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari echoed these sentiments, describing the assault on the labourers as “the worst form of cowardice.” Expressing solidarity with the injured workers, he called for justice and immediate action to apprehend those responsible.