Kulgam terror attack: Non-local worker killed, another critical in J&K
Synopsis
Terrorists in Kulgam's Kellam village shot dead a Chhattisgarh brick kiln worker and critically wounded another on 31 July — the latest in a string of targeted attacks on non-local migrant labourers in the Kashmir Valley. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has personally directed security forces to eliminate the attackers, as cordon-and-search operations get underway.
Key Takeaways
Terrorists shot dead Deepak , a non-local brick kiln worker from Chhattisgarh , in Kellam village, Kulgam on 31 July .
Second victim Bhupinder , also from Chhattisgarh , is in critical condition at Government Medical College, Anantnag .
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha spoke with DGP Nalin Prabhat and directed security forces to intensify operations.
J&K Police has cordoned off Kellam village and launched a cordon-and-search operation.
The attack follows the killing of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag last week.
Terrorists shot and killed one non-local labourer and critically wounded another in Kellam village of Kulgam district, Jammu & Kashmir, on Friday, 31 July. The two victims — both brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh — were fired upon in what officials have described as a targeted attack on migrant labourers.
What Happened in Kellam Village
The deceased has been identified as Deepak, from Chhattisgarh, who died on the spot after being shot. The second victim, Bhupinder, also from Chhattisgarh, was rushed in a critical condition to the Government Medical College hospital in Anantnag, where he is currently receiving treatment. Officials confirmed that Bhupinder remains alive and under medical care, clarifying earlier reports that suggested he had also succumbed.
Lt Governor Condemns Attack, Orders Security Crackdown
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed the attack in a post on X, stating he had spoken with Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and top security officials following the incident. 'I strongly condemn this cowardly act. I have directed our security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists,' Sinha wrote. He added that his deepest condolences go to the bereaved family and that he is praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. 'J&K administration and the entire nation stand with the families,' he said.
Security Forces Launch Cordon-and-Search Operation
J&K Police and security forces have cordoned off Kellam village and launched a search operation to track the perpetrators, officials said. Counter-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley have been on heightened alert in recent weeks following a series of violent incidents.
Pattern of Attacks on Non-Local Workers
This incident is part of a troubling pattern of terrorist violence targeting migrant labourers in the Valley. Non-local workers — often from economically weaker states such as Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — have increasingly been targeted in what security analysts describe as an attempt to disrupt normalcy and drive out the migrant workforce. Notably, just last week, terrorists killed J&K Armed Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi while he was deployed on Yatra duty in Anantnag town.
What Happens Next
Security forces are expected to intensify operations in the Kulgam belt following the attack. The J&K administration has signalled a zero-tolerance posture, with the Lieutenant Governor directly monitoring the situation. The condition of the injured labourer Bhupinder at Anantnag hospital will be closely watched in the coming hours.
Point of View
Whose presence in the Valley is itself a marker of returning normalcy. By killing non-local workers, militants aim to trigger a mass exodus that would undercut the government's stability narrative. The frequency of such attacks in recent weeks — following the Anantnag Head Constable killing — suggests that security gains have not yet translated into deterrence on the ground. The LG's direct intervention signals political urgency, but the operational question is whether cordon-and-search operations in Kulgam can break the pattern before it escalates further.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Kulgam terror attack on 31 July?
A non-local brick kiln worker identified as Deepak from Chhattisgarh was killed on the spot in Kellam village, Kulgam. A second worker, Bhupinder, also from Chhattisgarh, was critically injured and is being treated at Government Medical College, Anantnag.
What action has the J&K administration taken after the Kulgam attack?
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha spoke directly with DGP Nalin Prabhat and top security officials, directing security forces to step up operations and eliminate the terrorists. J&K Police has cordoned off Kellam village and launched a search operation to track the attackers.
Is the injured worker Bhupinder alive?
Yes. Officials confirmed that Bhupinder is alive and receiving treatment at Government Medical College in Anantnag, where he was admitted in a critical condition. Earlier reports suggesting he had succumbed were subsequently corrected by officials.
Why are non-local workers being targeted in Kashmir?
Security analysts say terrorists target migrant labourers — often from states like Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — to disrupt normalcy and drive out the workforce that signals a return to stability in the Valley. Such attacks have occurred repeatedly in recent years.
What other terror incidents preceded the Kulgam attack?
Just a week before the Kulgam attack, terrorists killed J&K Armed Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi while he was on Yatra duty in Anantnag town. Counter-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley have been on heightened alert in response to this recent wave of violence.
