In the wake of a militant attack in Gagangeer, Ganderbal district, which killed seven workers of a construction company, including a doctor, security has been tightened around infrastructure and development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack on, October 20, targeted employees of APCO, a private company working on the Z-Morh tunnel.
The tunnel is a vital project to ensure year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The incident prompted immediate security reviews across the region.
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#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: People held candlelight march in Anantnag, against Gagangir terror attack.
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2024
A doctor and six construction workers were killed when terrorists opened fire at a construction site in Gagangir of Ganderbal district on Sunday, 20th October pic.twitter.com/N6839kTp4D
Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir soon to review security at key projects. The MHA is also considering deploying the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to guard these important sites.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched an investigation into the attack, and the MHA has requested a detailed report from the Jammu and Kashmir administration on what led to the incident.
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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Z-Morh tunnel site to review the security situation. He met officers, security personnel, and workers involved in the project. He also held a high-level security meeting with police, civil administration, and security officials.
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The LG stressed the importance of strengthening security across all major infrastructure projects to prevent further attacks. He called for a comprehensive and coordinated security plan, working closely with project agencies to avoid any lapses. "The safety of workers and officers is the government's top priority," Sinha said.
"We need stricter access control and regular patrolling around project sites," the LG added, urging security forces and police to carry out coordinated counter-terrorism operations to eliminate threats in the region.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a major manhunt to track down the militants responsible for the attack. Dozens of people have been questioned, and police believe the attack was planned with help from the Over Ground Network (OGN). Some suspects have been detained, but no arrests have been made yet.
Initial reports indicate that four militants, including two foreigners, were involved. The attackers first targeted the workers' mess and then moved to the officers’ quarters. Authorities believe the militants had detailed knowledge of the site, possibly with help from locals or prior involvement in the project.
CCTV footage from the area is being analysed to provide investigators with more information about how the attack was carried out. The Resistance Front, a militant group linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
