2019 Kulgam massacre
The 2019 Kulgam massacre refers to the killing of seven Bengali Muslim labourers in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, India by foreign-based terrorists.[1] The attack was carried out by members of Hizbul Mujahideen, after being planned by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Ajaz Malik.[2]
| 2019 Kulgam attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir | |
| Location | Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Coordinates | 33°38′24″N 75°01′12″E |
| Date | 29 October 2019 |
| Target | Bengali Muslim labourers |
| Deaths | 7 |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrators | Hizbul Mujahideen |
Background
Attack
The 2019 Kulgam massacre occurred when terrorists entered a home housing Bengali Muslim labourers in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[3] These men came to Kulgam to work in the apple orchards there.[3] The terrorists, who are suspected of being Kashmiri separatists, lined up the men and killed seven of them.[1] One of them named Baharaduddin, survived after being left for dead.[1][3]
Consequences
The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, identified 130 labourers still working in Jammu and Kashmir and is supporting their return to their home state for safety reasons, although some of them are opting to remain in the union territory.[4] The bodies of the victims were returned to their families by the Ministry of Home Affairs.[2]
References
- Nath, Sujith (30 October 2019). "As Bengal Workers Flee Kashmir in Wake of Militant Attack, Mamata Govt Looks to Stop Migration". News18. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- Sandhu, Kamaljit Kaur (31 October 2019). "Hizbul commander Aijaz Malik who planned killing of 5 migrants died a day before Kulgam attack". India Today. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- "Indian state leader to move migrant workers from Kashmir after violence". Reuters. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
More than 100 migrant workers from India’s Kashmir will be moved after a spate of killings by suspected separatist militants underlined the threat to outsiders in the restive region. ... Last week, suspected militants barged into a house in southern Kashmir, marched out six men who had come to work in the orchards and paddy fields from West Bengal, lined them up and shot them, police said. Five died, a sixth, who the gunmen had left for dead, survived, to tell the tale that has fanned fears of further attacks on outsiders, officials say.
- Nath, Sujith (1 November 2019). "Days after Militants Kill Bengal Labourers in Kashmir, Mamata Says Remaining Workers Being Brought Back". News18. Retrieved 3 November 2019.