Rahul Gandhi condemns Kulgam terror attack, demands harshest punishment
Synopsis
Two Chhattisgarh migrant workers shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam’s Kellam village are the latest in a documented shift by militants toward unarmed civilian targets in Kashmir. With Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah both responding swiftly, the attack has put the Centre’s security posture in the valley back under the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi condemned the Kulgam terror attack on Saturday, 2 August 2025 , calling it ‘extremely tragic’ and demanding the harshest punishment for perpetrators.
Two migrant brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh — Deepak and Bopinder —were shot in Kellam village, Kulgam and later died of their injuries.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ₹10 lakh ex gratia each for the next of kin of both victims from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The attack comes less than two weeks after terrorists killed Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag on 22 July during Amarnath Yatra security duty.
Security officials say militants have increasingly shifted to targeting unarmed civilians and migrant labourers to spread fear in the Kashmir Valley.
Security forces have intensified vigil around transit camps and facilities housing non-local workers across the valley.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday, 2 August 2025, strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir that killed two migrant brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh, calling the incident “extremely tragic” and demanding the strictest possible punishment for those responsible.
What Rahul Gandhi Said
Posting on social media platform X, Gandhi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and underscored the nation’s collective resolve against terrorism. “The cowardly terrorist attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the murder of two workers from our country, is extremely tragic. I extend my condolences to the grieving families. Strict action must be taken against the terrorists for this dastardly attack, and they must receive the harshest possible punishment. The nation remains united against terrorism,” Gandhi posted.
How the Attack Unfolded
The attack occurred on Friday evening when terrorists opened fire on two labourers in Kellam village, Kulgam. Both men—identified as Deepak and Bopinder—were critically wounded and rushed to Government Medical College Hospital, Anantnag. Deepak succumbed to his injuries on Friday night. Bopinder was subsequently transferred to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Srinagar, where he died on Saturday morning.
Political Response and Relief Announced
The attack drew condemnation from political and religious leaders across party lines. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killings and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each for the next of kin of the two deceased workers, to be disbursed from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
A Shifting Pattern of Targeted Violence
The Kulgam killings come less than two weeks after terrorists shot dead Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag on 22 July, while he was on security duty during the annual Amarnath Yatra. Security officials say militants have increasingly shifted to targeting unarmed civilians—including migrant labourers, roadside vendors, and drivers—after years of attacks on political workers, judges, religious figures, and security personnel. According to officials, the tactical shift is aimed at spreading fear and disrupting normalcy in the Kashmir Valley.
Security Response
In the wake of recent attacks, security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified surveillance around transit camps and other facilities housing non-local workers across the valley to prevent further incidents and safeguard the migrant labour population.
Point of View
Particularly migrant workers who lack the security cover afforded to political figures. This pattern deserves more analytical attention than the ritual cycle of condemnation and ex gratia announcements it tends to generate. The ₹10 lakh relief, while welcome, does not address the structural vulnerability of the estimated tens of thousands of non-local workers in the valley who move between worksites with minimal protection. The real accountability question is whether the Centre’s post-Article 370 security architecture—built around a narrative of normalisation—has adequately adapted to this evolving threat profile.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kulgam terror attack?
Terrorists opened fire on two migrant brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh in Kellam village, Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday evening. Both victims—Deepak and Bopinder—were critically injured and later died, Deepak on Friday night and Bopinder on Saturday morning at SKIMS, Srinagar.
What did Rahul Gandhi say about the Kulgam attack?
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted on X calling the attack ‘extremely tragic’ and demanded the harshest possible punishment for the perpetrators. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed that the nation remains united against terrorism.
What relief has been announced for the victims’ families?
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each for the next of kin of both deceased workers, to be disbursed from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Is this part of a broader pattern of attacks on civilians in Kashmir?
Yes, according to security officials, militants have increasingly shifted to targeting unarmed civilians—including migrant labourers, vendors, and drivers—after years of attacks on security forces, political workers, and religious figures. The tactic is aimed at spreading fear and disrupting normalcy in the Kashmir Valley.
What security measures have been taken after the Kulgam attack?
Security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified surveillance around transit camps and other facilities housing non-local workers across the valley to prevent further incidents and ensure migrant worker safety.
