'Militants Are Back': Omar Abdullah Faces Public Ire For Not Using The Word 'Terrorist' While Condemning Ganderbal Attack

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah called the Ganderbal terror attack a militant attack. (Image: ANI and PTI)

Condemning the attack on migrant labourers in Ganderbal, Abdullah called it a "militant attack" and refrained from using the word terrorists. 

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was at the receiving end as he fell short of calling the Gagangir attack a “terror attack”. Condemning the attack on migrant labourers in Ganderbal, Abdullah called it a “militant attack” and refrained from using the word terrorists.

“Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed & 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones,” Abdullah said in his post on X after terrorists struck a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Ganderbal district on Sunday evening.

“The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar,” the J&K CM added as a doctor and six migrant workers were killed in the terror attack and 11 others were injured.

Omar Abdullah’s statements were followed by comments from people on social media, pointing out how he chose the word ‘militants’ instead of ‘terrorists’.

“Oh the “militants” are back,” a user wrote.

“Terrorists*. Remember you are a CM of a UT. Your antics are being noticed and any possibility of statehood can be revoked,” another user wrote.

“Congratulations. Both NC and terrorism have made a comeback in J&K. While it’s known that your family has a history of sympathizing with terrorists, at least on public platforms, start referring to them as ‘terrorists’ instead of using softer terms like ‘militants’,” a user added. 

Mehbooba Mufti Too Refrains From Calling it ‘Terrorism’

While Omar Abdullah faced social media ire for calling it a “militant attack”, PDP chief and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, too, refrained from using the word “terror attack”.

“Unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence against two labourers in Ganderbal. Deepest condolences to their families,” she posted on X.

7 Killed in Terror Attack

Seven people were killed as the terrorists opened fire on a camp housing workers of a private company, who were working on an under-construction Z-Mohr tunnel in the Gund area, which connects Gagangir to Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

Security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) along with local police officials have cordoned off the area. Teams from the Investigation Agency (NIA), the premier agency that investigates terror attacks, have also rushed to the spot.

The attack was orchestrated by the terrorist group The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as the group claimed responsibility for the killings.

At least two unidentified terrorists carried out the attack, said sources, adding that they attacked the labourers and other staff when they returned to their camp after working on the tunnel project.