Kulgam terror attack death toll rises to 2 as Chhattisgarh worker dies in Srinagar
Synopsis
Two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh are now dead after terrorists opened fire at close range on brick kiln workers in Kellam village, Kulgam. The attack — part of a rising pattern of targeted killings of non-local workers in Kashmir — has drawn sharp condemnation from LG Manoj Sinha, who has ordered security forces to intensify operations and eliminate the perpetrators.
Key Takeaways
The Kulgam terror attack death toll rose to two on Saturday, 2 August 2025 .
Deepak Rattray (24) and Bopinder (28) , both migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh , were killed after being shot at close range in Kellam village , Kulgam.
Bopinder died at SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar on Saturday morning after being transferred from GMC Anantnag in critical condition.
LG Manoj Sinha condemned the attack, directed security forces to step up operations, and spoke with DGP Nalin Prabhat .
Security forces have cordoned off the area and a search operation to track the attackers is underway.
The attack follows the killing of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag on 22 July , amid heightened counter-terror operations across the Valley.
The death toll in the terrorist attack on migrant labourers in Kellam village, Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, climbed to two on Saturday, 2 August 2025, after the second injured worker from Chhattisgarh succumbed to critical bullet injuries at a Srinagar hospital. The attack, which took place on Friday evening, targeted non-local brick kiln workers in what officials described as a close-range hit-and-run firing.
The Victims
The two deceased have been identified as Deepak Rattray (24), son of Uma Shankar, and Bopinder (28), son of Dasrar — both residents of Chhattisgarh employed as migrant labourers at a brick kiln in Kellam village. Both were shot at close range by terrorists on Friday evening.
Deepak succumbed to his injuries at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Anantnag shortly after being admitted. Bopinder, whose condition was critical, was subsequently transferred to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Srinagar, late on Friday night. 'He passed away in the morning in SKIMS today,' an official confirmed on Saturday.
Lt Governor Condemns the Attack
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, stating he had spoken with Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and top security officials following the attack. 'I strongly condemn this cowardly act. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists,' Sinha wrote.
Sinha added that J&K Police and security forces had cordoned off the area and launched an operation to bring the perpetrators to justice. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and said the J&K administration and the nation stood with them.
Security Response and Search Operation
Security forces swiftly cordoned off Kellam village following the attack and launched a search operation to track the assailants. The operation was ongoing as of Saturday morning, according to officials. The attack has been widely condemned by local political and religious leaders across the Kashmir Valley.
Pattern of Violence Against Non-Locals
This incident is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of targeted attacks on non-local workers in the Kashmir Valley. Notably, on 22 July, terrorists killed J&K Armed Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi while he was deployed on Yatra duty in Anantnag. Counter-terror operations across the Valley have been intensified in the weeks since.
The killing of migrant labourers — who travel to J&K seeking seasonal employment — underscores the vulnerability of non-local workers and the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups operating in the region. Security agencies are expected to further tighten their grip on brick kiln sites and labour camps in the coming days.
Point of View
A tactic designed to disrupt economic normalcy and spread fear among migrant communities. The fact that both victims were brick kiln labourers from Chhattisgarh, among India's most economically vulnerable workers, makes the targeting especially calculated. LG Sinha's public condemnation and directive to security forces are necessary, but the repeated pattern of such attacks raises harder questions about intelligence gaps at the ground level. Counter-terror operations have been intensified repeatedly in recent weeks, yet assailants continue to strike and flee — pointing to a need for deeper community intelligence networks around labour camps and non-local worker settlements.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims of the Kulgam terror attack?
The two victims were Deepak Rattray (24), son of Uma Shankar, and Bopinder (28), son of Dasrar — both migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh working at a brick kiln in Kellam village, Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir.
What happened in the Kellam village attack in Kulgam?
Terrorists fired at close range on two non-local brick kiln workers in Kellam village, Kulgam, on Friday evening in a hit-and-run attack. Both workers sustained critical bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital, where they subsequently died.
Where did the second victim Bopinder die?
Bopinder was transferred from Government Medical College, Anantnag, to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Srinagar, in critical condition. He passed away at SKIMS on Saturday morning, 2 August 2025.
What action has the J&K administration taken after the Kulgam attack?
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha spoke with DGP Nalin Prabhat and directed security forces to intensify operations and eliminate the attackers. J&K Police and security forces have cordoned off Kellam village and launched a search operation to track the perpetrators.
Is the Kulgam attack part of a larger pattern of violence in Kashmir?
Yes. The attack follows a series of targeted killings in the Valley, including the shooting of J&K Armed Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag on 22 July 2025. Attacks on non-local migrant workers have been a recurring feature of terrorist activity in Kashmir in recent months.
