Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 1: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district that claimed the lives of two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh, terming it "extremely tragic" and demanding the strictest punishment for those responsible.

In a post on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed the country's united stand against terrorism.

"The cowardly terrorist attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the murder of two workers from our country, is extremely tragic. I extend my condolences to the grieving families. Strict action must be taken against the terrorists for this dastardly attack, and they must receive the harshest possible punishment. The nation remains united against terrorism," he posted.

The attack, which has drawn condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum, occurred on Friday evening when terrorists opened fire on two migrant brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh in Kellam village of Kulgam district.

The injured workers, identified as Deepak and Bopinder, were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital in Anantnag. Deepak succumbed to his injuries on Friday night, while Bopinder was later shifted to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, in Srinagar, where he died on Saturday morning.

The killings have been widely condemned by political and religious leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, who described the attack as an assault on innocent civilians.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah also denounced the attack and announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the next of kin of the two deceased workers.

The incident comes less than two weeks after terrorists shot dead Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag on July 22 while he was deployed for security duties during the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Security officials said terrorists have increasingly targeted unarmed civilians, including migrant labourers, roadside vendors and drivers, in an attempt to spread fear and disrupt normalcy in the Kashmir Valley after years of attacking political workers, security personnel and other prominent citizens.

Following the recent attacks, security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have stepped up vigil around transit camps and other locations housing non-local workers to prevent further incidents and ensure their safety.