2019 Kulgam massacre

The 2019 Kulgam massacre refers to the killing of seven Bengali Muslim labourers in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.^[1] The attack was carried out by members of Hizbul Mujahideen, according to Jammu and Kashmir Police it was planned by the group's commander, Ajaz Malik.^[2]

Kulgam massacre
Part of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Location	Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates	33°38′24″N 75°01′12″E
Date	29 October 2019
Target	Bengali Muslim labourers
Deaths	7
Injured	1
Perpetrators	Hizbul Mujahideen

Background

Main articles: Kashmir conflict and Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism

Attack

The 2019 Kulgam massacre occurred when terrorists entered a home housing Bengali Muslim labourers in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.^[3] These men came to Kulgam to work in the apple orchards there.^[3] The terrorists, who are suspected of being Kashmiri separatists, lined up the men and killed seven of them.^[1] One of them named Baharaduddin, survived after being left for dead.^[1][3]

Victims

• Sheikh Rafiq (murdered)^[1]
• Naimuddin Alam (murdered)^[1]
• Qamaruddin Sheikh (murdered)^[1]
• Mursalim Sheikh (murdered)^[1]
• Rafiqul Alam (murdered)^[1]
• Baharaduddin (injured)^[1]

Consequences

The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, identified 130 labourers still working in Jammu and Kashmir and is supporting their return to their home state for safety reasons, although some of them are opting to remain in the union territory.^[4] The bodies of the victims were returned to their families by the Ministry of Home Affairs.^[2]