Kulgam terror attack: J&K BJP condemns killing of 2 migrant workers, blames Pakistan
Synopsis
Two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh were shot dead at a brick kiln in Kulgam — the latest in a pattern of civilian-targeted attacks in Kashmir. J&K BJP leaders have directly blamed Pakistan, with party president Sat Sharma warning that such acts 'won't go unanswered under PM Modi's tenure.' The attack reignites fears over migrant worker safety in the Valley even as the Centre claims terror networks are on the back foot.
Key Takeaways
Two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh — Deepak Rattray (24) and Bopinder (28) — were shot dead by terrorists at a brick kiln in Kellam village, Kulgam on Friday evening, 1 August .
J&K BJP President Sat Sharma directly blamed Pakistan for sponsoring the attack to disrupt peace and economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir .
Sharma warned the attacks 'won't go unanswered under PM Modi's tenure.' BJP MLAs Vikram Randhawa, Sunil Bhardwaj , and Mohan Lal also condemned the attack, citing the Centre's security policies while acknowledging terrorism remains a persistent threat.
Security forces have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators; Bopinder died at SKIMS on Saturday morning after being referred from Anantnag.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 1 August strongly condemned a terror attack in Kulgam district that killed two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh, squarely blaming Pakistan for sponsoring violence to destabilise the Union Territory. Party leaders warned that such attacks would not go unanswered.
What Happened in Kulgam
The attack unfolded on Friday evening when terrorists opened fire at close range on two non-local labourers employed at a brick kiln in Kellam village of Kulgam district, before fleeing the scene. Both victims — residents of Chhattisgarh — sustained critical bullet wounds and were rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Anantnag.
Deepak Rattray (24) succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The second victim, Bopinder (28), was referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for specialised care, where he died on Saturday morning. The targeted killing of migrant workers marks a grim pattern of civilian-focused attacks in the Valley.
What J&K BJP Leaders Said
J&K BJP President Sat Sharma said Pakistan was deliberately attempting to derail the improving situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 'Pakistan does not want peace to prevail in Jammu and Kashmir in any way, especially in Kashmir, where the economic situation has improved. Pakistan believes that if its own people are suffering from hunger, a similar atmosphere should exist in Jammu and Kashmir as well,' Sharma said.
He further alleged that Pakistan was prioritising cross-border terrorism over addressing its own internal challenges. 'People do not have anything to eat or wear, and in such a situation, it is focussed on facilitating cross-border terrorism. Instead of thinking about its own development, Pakistan's only focus is to create disruptions in India's growth. It's a warning that these things won't go unanswered under PM Modi's tenure,' he added.
MLAs Condemn the Attack
BJP MLA from Bahu constituency, Vikram Randhawa, acknowledged that terrorism had inflicted deep wounds on Jammu and Kashmir over the years but maintained that the Centre's policies had significantly weakened terror networks. 'The menace of terrorism had deeply affected Jammu and Kashmir. This is no secret. However, the Central government's strong policies have dealt a major blow to terrorism. Even so, such a deep-rooted menace cannot be eliminated overnight. Their brutality and such acts show how low they have stooped. They come out only to meet their end. What they did yesterday was a highly cowardly act,' Randhawa said.
BJP MLA from Ramnagar, Sunil Bhardwaj, noted that the security and development landscape had changed considerably since 2014, but hostile elements across the border continued to attempt destabilisation. 'The BJP has consistently worked to ensure that the people of Kashmir move towards tourism instead of terrorism. However, some hostile elements across the border are still trying to destabilise Kashmir by carrying out targeted killings, attacking security forces, and targeting tourists,' Bhardwaj said.
BJP MLA from Akhnoor, Mohan Lal, expressed confidence that security agencies would act decisively. 'I strongly condemn this incident. It is deeply unfortunate and painful. Pakistan is still trying to revive terrorism. I am confident that the Indian Army and J&K Police will neutralise this problem as soon as possible,' he said.
Broader Context and Security Concerns
The Kulgam attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting civilian migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir, raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of non-local labourers who form a significant part of the Valley's informal workforce. This comes amid a broader security push by the Centre following the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, which had already heightened tensions in the region.
Security forces have launched a search operation in the area to track down the perpetrators. Political leaders across the BJP reiterated that such incidents would not derail ongoing efforts to maintain peace, strengthen security, and promote economic development in the Union Territory.
Point of View
And attacks on them send a chilling message to the informal workforce that sustains the Valley's construction and agriculture sectors. BJP leaders are right to condemn the attack, but the political response risks overshadowing the operational question: why brick kilns and worksites remain soft targets despite a decade of claimed security gains. The gap between the political messaging of a 'weakened terror network' and the ground reality of recurring civilian killings is one that deserves scrutiny beyond party statements.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kulgam terror attack on 1 August?
Terrorists opened fire on two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh at a brick kiln in Kellam village, Kulgam district, on Friday evening. Both victims — Deepak Rattray (24) and Bopinder (28) — died of their injuries, with Bopinder succumbing at SKIMS on Saturday morning.
Who were the victims of the Kulgam attack?
The victims were Deepak Rattray, aged 24, and Bopinder, aged 28, both residents of Chhattisgarh working as non-local labourers at a brick kiln in Kulgam. Deepak died at Government Medical College Hospital, Anantnag, while Bopinder was referred to SKIMS, where he died the following morning.
What did J&K BJP say about the Kulgam attack?
J&K BJP President Sat Sharma blamed Pakistan for sponsoring the attack to derail improving conditions in Kashmir. He warned that such acts would not go unanswered under PM Modi's tenure. Several BJP MLAs also condemned the attack and expressed confidence in security forces.
Why are migrant workers being targeted in Jammu and Kashmir?
According to BJP leaders and security analysts, targeting migrant workers is a tactic used by terror groups to undermine economic normalcy and discourage non-local labour from working in the Valley. The Kulgam attack is part of a broader pattern of civilian-targeted killings in the region.
What action is being taken after the Kulgam terror attack?
Security forces have launched a search operation in Kulgam to track down the perpetrators. BJP leaders have expressed confidence that the Indian Army and J&K Police will neutralise those responsible. No arrests had been confirmed as of the latest reports on Saturday.
