Kulgam terror attack: Kharge claims labourers were asked to ‘identify’ before being shot

Security personnel conduct a cordon-and-search operation after two labourers from Chhattisgarh were killed in a terrorist attack at a brick kiln, in Kulgam

NEW DELHI: The family of one of the two Chhattisgarh labourers killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam has alleged that the attackers asked the victims about their identity anf religion before opening fire, echoing survivor accounts from the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Deepak Ratrey, a resident of Bundeli village in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district, was among two migrant labourers killed when terrorists attacked a brick kiln in Kulgam on Friday night. Another victim was identified as 28-year-old Bhupendra Bhaina from Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. Speaking to ANI, Deepak’s uncle Haldhar Ratrey claimed the attackers targeted the labourers after asking about their identity. “From what we’ve heard, the terrorists shot him after asking about his caste and community. They fired at a labourer after asking his identity,” he alleged.While there has been no official confirmation on this from the authorities, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, also said the two labourers were “identified” before they were killed, which reflected the “cruel mindset of terrorism.” The incident comes days after terrorists shot dead Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag while he was deployed on Amarnath Yatra duty. It was the first terror strike in Kashmir since the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. Survivors of that attack had also alleged that terrorists asked victims about their religion before opening fire. Deepak had moved to Jammu and Kashmir about a year ago to work at a brick kiln and was the sole breadwinner for his family. He is survived by his wife, a one-year-old son, his widowed mother and a disabled brother. His family has appealed to the government to bring his mortal remains back to Chhattisgarh for the last rites and provide financial assistance to the bereaved family.Also read: First J&K terror attack on migrants in 21 monthsSakti Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rupendra Patel said the administration was in constant touch with the family and coordinating with authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure all possible assistance and expedite the transportation of Deepak’s body to his native village. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the two victims. Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai also condemned the killings and directed officials to coordinate with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to facilitate the return of the bodies.

The two victims were identified as 24-year-old Deepak Ratre from Sakti district and 28-year-old Bhupendra Bhaina from Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district in Chhattisgarh. Both had travelled to Kashmir in search of work and were employed at the brick kiln where the attack took place.Deepak, the sole breadwinner of his family, had moved to Jammu and Kashmir around seven to eight months ago with his wife. He is survived by his elderly mother, a physically disabled younger brother, his wife and their four-month-old son.Bhupendra had arrived in Kashmir about three months ago with his wife, while their four-year-old son remained in Chhattisgarh with relatives.