A terrorist attack on an Army vehicle belonging to the 18 Rashtriya Rifles near Botpathri in the Gulmarg area of Kashmir left five soldiers injured, along with a civilian porter who sustained critical injuries. The vehicle, which was just 5 kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC), was en route from Botpathri when it came under heavy fire from terrorists. The injured soldiers were immediately evacuated for medical treatment, but the attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, especially in areas near the LoC, where military personnel and civilian workers are increasingly becoming targets.
This attack comes amid a worrying spike in violence in Kashmir, particularly against non-local labourers and civilians. Earlier today, terrorists shot and injured a labourer from Uttar Pradesh in the Tral area of Pulwama district, continuing a disturbing trend of targeting migrant workers. On Sunday, terrorists carried out a brutal attack on a construction site in the Ganderbal district, killing six non-local labourers and a local doctor, causing widespread fear and concern. The violence escalated further when, on October 18, a labourer from Bihar was gunned down by terrorists in the Shopian district.
These incidents are part of an alarming pattern of violence aimed at disrupting peace and development efforts in the region. Terrorist groups have increasingly turned their focus toward targeting non-local workers who come to Kashmir for employment, as well as civilians contributing to infrastructure and economic development. This surge in attacks has triggered heightened security measures and increased patrolling in sensitive areas, but the threat to both military and civilian lives remains significant. The ongoing violence not only affects local stability but also raises concerns about the broader implications for the safety and security of people working in Kashmir from other parts of India.
