In a tragic incident in Indian-controlled Kashmir, gunmen opened fire on a camp of construction workers, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuring five others. The attack occurred near the resort town of Sonamarg, targeting those involved in a strategic tunnel project aimed at connecting the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh.

Police officials attributed the "terror attack" to militants opposing Indian rule in the region, though no group has claimed responsibility yet. Eyewitnesses reported that at least two assailants fired indiscriminately at the workers shortly after they returned to their lodgings on Sunday night. The initial assault left two individuals dead on the scene, with five more succumbing to injuries in a nearby hospital.

Among the deceased were five non-local laborers, a Kashmiri worker, and a Kashmiri doctor. In response, police and military reinforcements launched extensive search operations in the area to apprehend the attackers.

Omar Abdullah, a prominent political figure in the region, condemned the attack as "dastardly & cowardly" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key Kashmiri resistance leader, expressed his sorrow over the incident, calling it a "grim reminder of the unending cycle of violence and uncertainty" that has plagued the region for decades.

The tunnel project, which is crucial for military operations in Ladakh, has attracted hundreds of workers, primarily from outside the region. The recent attack marks the second targeting of non-local workers since a new local government was installed last week, following the first local elections since India revoked the region's semi-autonomy five years ago. Just days prior, the body of a laborer from Bihar was found in Shopian, also believed to be the result of militant violence.

Kashmir has experienced a surge in violence, particularly targeting non-local workers, since 2021. The region has a long history of conflict, with India and Pakistan each controlling parts of Kashmir while claiming the entire territory. The ongoing struggle has led to the deaths of tens of thousands, including civilians, militants, and government forces, as many Kashmiris continue to support the rebels' objectives for autonomy or unification with Pakistan.