On the eve of Karwa Chauth, tragedy struck when seven individuals, including Shashi Bhushan Abrol from Jammu’s Talab Tillo, were killed in a militant attack at a tunnel construction site in Gagangeer, Ganderbal.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, left families and communities grieving, with relatives of the victims calling for justice.
Shashi Bhushan Abrol, an architectural designer and the sole provider for his family, was known for his dedication to work, according to a report by ETV Urdu.
His wife, Ruchi Abrol, had spoken to him just hours before the attack, eagerly preparing to celebrate Karwa Chauth. “I waited the entire night to break my fast, praying for his safety. I never thought I would receive the news of his death instead,” she tearfully recounted.
The victims, who were simply earning a living, included Gurmeet Singh from Punjab, Dr. Shahnawaz from Budgam, Anil Kumar Shukla, Faheem Nazir, Muhammad Hanif, and Kaleem. One family member lamented, “They were innocent men, just trying to make a living. Why did they have to suffer such a fate?”
Following the attack, protests erupted across Jammu, with demonstrators demanding accountability.
Political leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, condemned the violence and visited Abrol’s family to offer condolences. “I share your grief, and we will ensure justice is served,” Sinha told the family during his visit.
Protests led by the Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal called for military action against militant hideouts along the Pakistan border, stressing the need for greater security in the region. “Enough is enough! We need strong action to put an end to this senseless violence,” one protester demanded.
The attack has reignited conversations around the security situation in Kashmir, with calls for action growing louder across political lines.