The family of a labourer from Chhattisgarh, killed in a terror attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, alleges that the attackers inquired about his religion prior to shooting him. Deepak Ratre, aged 24 and a resident of Sakti district in Chhattisgarh, was one of the two migrant workers fatally wounded when terrorists targeted a brick kiln on the evening of July 29, 2026.

According to Manoj, Deepak’s brother, the assailants asked him where he was from and what his religion was. Reportedly, Deepak identified himself as Hindu, after which he was shot. This claim has not yet been substantiated by security agencies, which are currently investigating the incident.

Deepak had arrived in Jammu and Kashmir approximately seven to eight months prior to the attack, accompanied by his wife, seeking better employment opportunities. As the primary wage earner, he supported a family that includes his elderly mother, a younger brother with disabilities, his wife, and an infant son, following the death of his father.

Victim’s Family Seeks Government Assistance

Family members expressed profound sorrow over Deepak’s death, asserting that he had left home with hopes of providing a more secure future for his loved ones. In the wake of this tragedy, relatives have called for financial support from the government, emphasising their newfound lack of income and stability.

Another victim, Bhupendra Bhaina, aged 28, also hailed from Chhattisgarh and had travelled to Kashmir approximately three months earlier with his wife, leaving their four-year-old son in the care of family. His parents and brother are labourers based in Himachal Pradesh. His family is now grappling with the financial ramifications following his death.

In response to the incident, local administrative representatives, including Malkharouda Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rupendra Patel, visited the affected families and committed to providing all necessary support. The district administration is actively coordinating with authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate the return of Deepak’s remains to his home village for the final rites.

Official Responses to the Attack

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act and an assault on humanity and national unity. He announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 20 lakh to the families of both deceased workers.

Chief Minister Sai indicated that a senior state government officer would be assigned to Jammu and Kashmir to collaborate with local authorities and ensure that the final rites for the victims are conducted with dignity and in accordance with religious practices.

The family’s allegations have raised comparisons with a prior incident from April 22, when survivors of a Pahalgam terror attack alleged that attackers questioned tourists about their religious affiliations. Security agencies have not established a definitive link between these attacks, and the motives behind the Kulgam incident remain under investigation.

This latest attack occurred less than ten days after a police officer was killed in Anantnag and adds to a troubling trend of violence targeting non-local workers in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in February, two labourers from Punjab were also victims of a similar assault in Srinagar.

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