Family members of a Chhattisgarh labourer killed in the Kulgam terror attack have alleged that terrorists asked him about his religion before opening fire, a claim that has not been officially confirmed by security agencies probing the incident.
Deepak Ratre (24) and Bhupendra Bhaina (28), both residents of Sakti district in Chhattisgarh, were killed after terrorists attacked a brick kiln in the Kelam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday evening.
“He was asked where he was from and what his religion was. He was shot after he said Hindu,” Deepak’s brother Manoj alleged.
Deepak had been working at the brick kiln for the past seven to eight months along with his wife and was the sole breadwinner of his family. His relatives have sought financial assistance, saying the family has been left without any source of income.
Condemning the attack, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of the two victims. Calling the incident a “cowardly” act and “an assault on humanity and national unity”, he said a senior state government officer would be deputed to Jammu and Kashmir to coordinate with local authorities and ensure the victims’ last rites are conducted with dignity.
The family’s allegation has revived memories of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where survivors had made similar claims. However, security agencies have not linked the two incidents and the motive behind the Kulgam attack remains under investigation.