A tragic terror attack in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir has claimed the lives of two migrant laborers from the Sakti district of Chhattisgarh. The deceased have been identified as 21-year-old Deepak Ratre, a resident of Bundeli village in the Malkharoda development block, and 28-year-old Bopinder. Armed assailants targeted the workers at point-blank range on Friday night while they were working at a local brick kiln. The incident has sent shockwaves through their home villages of Bundeli and Hardidih, where residents and relatives are mourning the sudden loss of the young workers.
Details of the Attack and Emergency Medical Treatment
The violent incident unfolded late Friday evening in Kellam village, located within the Kulgam district. Terrorists approached the site where migrant workers were engaged in labor at a brick kiln and opened fire at close range without warning. Both Deepak Ratre and Bopinder sustained severe gunshot wounds and collapsed on the spot. Emergency responders and local administrative officials immediately intervened and transported the injured men to the Government Medical College Hospital in Anantnag city for urgent medical care.
Despite the medical team's effort to save him, Deepak Ratre succumbed to his fatal bullet injuries shortly after arrival at the Anantnag facility. Meanwhile, 28-year-old Bopinder remained in critical condition with extensive internal trauma. Doctors at the Anantnag hospital stabilized him temporarily before referring him to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for advanced surgical and intensive care treatment. However, despite specialized medical intervention, Bopinder also passed away from his injuries on Saturday morning.
Livelihood Migration and Family Background
Driven by the search for sustainable employment to support his household, Deepak Ratre had migrated to Jammu and Kashmir roughly one year ago along with his father, Umashankar Ratre. The family worked diligently at the brick kiln in Kulgam, where Deepak's wife and brother were also employed as manual laborers. Together, they pooled their hard-earned daily wages to manage basic household expenses back home in Chhattisgarh.
Deepak had a long-standing personal connection with Hardidih village, the home of his maternal uncle. He had spent his childhood in Hardidih, completing his school education while living under the care of his maternal relatives, and was subsequently married in the same village. As the only son of his parents, Deepak served as the sole financial pillar for the entire family. His untimely death leaves behind his wife and an infant child, leaving the young family without its primary provider.
Police Notification and Waves of Grief
Following confirmation of the tragedy late Friday night, administrative and law enforcement agencies moved quickly to inform the victim's family. Under direct instructions from the Sakti Superintendent of Police, a designated police team from the local Jaijaipur police station traveled directly to Hardidih village to break the sad news to the family members in person.
The news triggered immediate grief across both Bundeli and Hardidih villages. Family members broke down in tears as news of the violent attack spread through the area. Throughout Saturday, a large number of neighbors, community leaders, and local residents visited the bereaved family's residence in Hardidih to express their condolences and share in their profound sorrow.
Demands for State Financial Compensation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Deepak's maternal grandfather and maternal uncle, alongside fellow villagers, issued a formal appeal to both the Chhattisgarh State Government and the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administration. They urged the authorities to grant comprehensive financial compensation and emergency relief measures to support the surviving dependents on humanitarian grounds.
Community members emphasized that Deepak was the lone earning member responsible for feeding and supporting his household. With his demise, the future of his wife, young child, and elderly family members remains deeply insecure. Local representatives called upon the government to act swiftly by delivering immediate financial assistance and long-term security provisions for the devastated family.
