Rahul Gandhi condemns Gagangeer terror attack as ;cowardly and unforgivable crime’

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the recent terrorist attack in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of several people, including a doctor and migrant labourers. He called the attack “a very cowardly and unforgivable crime.”

Gandhi expressed his “deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured”. He added that “this audacity of terrorists will never be able to break the order of construction in Jammu and Kashmir and the faith of the people. The whole country is united in this fight against terrorism”.

जम्मू-कश्मीर के गांदरबल में आतंकी हमले में एक डॉक्टर और प्रवासी मज़दूरों समेत कई लोगों की हत्या बहुत ही कायरतापूर्ण और अक्षम्य अपराध है।

सभी शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।

आतंकियों का यह दुस्साहस…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 21, 2024

According to officials, at least two labourers were killed in a terror attack in the Gagangeer area of Jammu and Kashmir Ganderbal district on Sunday evening. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the heinous attack on civilians in Gagangeer, stating that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished.

“I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on civilians in Gagangeer. I assure the people that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished. We have given full freedom to J&K Police, Army, and Security forces”, the Office of the LG J-K said on X on Sunday.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack, calling it a “dastardly and cowardly” act against non-local labourers. “Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangeer in the Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. Two have been killed, and two to three more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,” Abdullah wrote on X.

He further added that the number of casualties is not yet confirmed, as some of the injured have been referred to SKIMS, Srinagar. “The casualty figure from the Gagangeer attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local and non-local. I pray that the injured make a full recovery, as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar”, Abdullah said.

Following the incident, Inspector General of Kashmir Zone police V K Birdi reached Gagangeer. Meanwhile, the Kashmir Zone Police confirmed that the area has been cordoned off the area. “#Terror incident in Gagangeer, #Ganderbal. Area cordoned off by security forces. Further details shall follow,” the police said in a post on X.

Former Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the killings, calling them “an act against humanity”. “I strongly condemn the killing of two non-local innocent labourers in the Gagangeer area in Ganderbal, Kashmir. This is the third killing in the last three days–an act against humanity. The enemies of peace must be dealt with firmly. My condolences to their families and prayers for the injured!” he wrote in a post on X. (ANI)