Contentious project: The under-construction tunnel aims to boost India’s links with the region, especially for the military. — AP
GUNMEN fatally shot at least seven people working on a strategic tunnel project in Indian-controlled Kashmir and injured at least five others, officials said.
Police blamed militants who have been fighting against Indian rule for decades for the “terror attack” at a camp for construction workers near the disputed region’s resort town of Sonamarg.
Police said yesterday at least two gunmen fired “indiscriminately” at officials and workers associated with the construction, leaving two dead on the spot. At least 10 others were taken to hospital, where five more died.
The attack came shortly after workers returned to their lodgings on Sunday night.
The dead included five non-local labourers and officials, one Kashmiri worker and a Kashmiri doctor.
Hundreds of people, mostly non-local labourers, are working on the ambitious tunnel project that aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, a cold desert region that is isolated for half the year because of massive snowfalls. Experts say the tunnel project is important to the military, which will gain significantly improved capabilities to operate in Ladakh.
The strategically important region shares de facto borders with Pakistan and China, and Indian and Chinese soldiers have been engaged in a military standoff there since 2020. Both countries have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers there, backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets.
Sunday’s attack was the second attack on workers in the region since a local government was sworn into office Wednesday, following the first elections since India stripped the region of semi-autonomy five years ago.
Kashmir has witnessed a spate of killings, many targeting workers from other parts of India, since 2021. Police say the killings have been carried out by anti-India rebels. — AP
