NEW DELHI: Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday condemned the “horrific” militant attack on migrant labourers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Militants opened fire on a camp housing labourers of a private company working on the construction of a tunnel in the Gund area of the district, they said.
Two labourers died on the spot while two others sustained injuries, the officials said, adding that further details are awaited.
In a post on X, the minister said that the “innocent labourers” were engaged in a vital infrastructure project in Gagangir, Sonamarg.
“I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent labourers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project,” Gadkari said.
“I offer my humble tribute to the martyred labourers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery,” he added.
Police and army have cordoned off the area to track the attackers.
The incident occurred four days after a new government was sworn in in the Union Territory. On Friday, the bullet-riddled body of a labourer from Bihar was found in Shopian district, officials said.