SRINAGAR, Oct 24 (Agencies): Seven people including six non-local workers and a Kashmir doctor were killed in an attack on the construction site along the Srinagar-Leh Highway on October 20.
The victims of Sunday’s attack were involved in the construction of tunnels meant to provide all-weather connectivity to the militarily strategic Ladakh region, which shares a border with China and Pakistan.
The CCTV footage of the attack shows two militants, carrying a U.S.-made M4 Carbine assault rifle and an AK47, spending around seven minutes at the workers’ camp before retreating back to their places, reported The Indian Express.
Officials said the footage suggests the attackers were aware of the topography of the area.
The attack took place at the camp around 7.25 pm, when some employees were sitting in the dining area and others were heading for dinner. The camp is just below an approach road to the tunnel and is surrounded by barren mountains on one side and the Srinagar-Leh national highway on the other.
Following the attack, senior police officials and a team of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) visited the incident spot.
“There is no CCTV camera installed at the place where they first opened fire. CCTV captured the area where they headed next — the two can be seen entering and opening fire. They also attacked the mess before coming out and firing on more workers,” a source told IE.
Initial investigation has also revealed that the attackers put a grenade inside a vehicle parked at the camp before shooting the driver.
“After recording the statements of the injured persons and a security guard who managed to escape, it came to light that initially, the workers thought that some people were bursting firecrackers. But within two-three minutes, they realised it was a terror attack,” the source said.
The attackers, a source said, were carrying an M4 carbine assault rifle and an AK-47, and 37-40 used cartridges were recovered from the spot.
“Security agencies and the local police are questioning local villagers and trying to find out details of the terrorists’ local handler, who helped them conduct a recce before the attack. We are also trying to get details of both the attackers from our database,” the source said, adding that the attackers fired at every area where there was light since power at the camp was cut during the incident.
The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor also visited the spot. He has also ordered a safety audit of all the construction sites across Kashmir.
Following the attack, at least 40 people were being questioned about the attack.