A labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama today, less than three days after a truck driver was shot dead in Shopian.
Sources said the terrorists have been targeting labourers, who have come to Jammu and Kashmir from outside the state, to create fear among them and disrupt trade.
Sethi Kumar Sagar, a resident of Besoli in of Chhattisgarh, worked at a brick kiln, news agency Press Trust of India reported. He was walking with another civilian when two terrorists shot him dead, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said. "We have formed teams and have fanned out in the area to catch the killers," he said.
Eyewitnesses said there were two terrorists.
"I would like to assure the farmers in Kashmir that all possible security will be provided. They will be allowed to reap the harvest. I would assure security to all farmers in Kashmir. It will be provided by the state. It is our responsibility," General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon said.
Monday's killing of the man from Rajasthan who was driving a truck from an orchard was carried out by terrorists in desperation as transportation of fruit has picked up in Kashmir valley, the police said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced Rs 4 lakh financial assistance to the family of a worker from the state who was shot dead by militants on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Sethi Kumar Sagar, who worked as a labourer at brick kiln, was walking along a railway track in the Kakapora area when he was shot dead by militants.
Kashmir police said that the "area has been cordoned and searches are going on to track down the killers".
The killing has evoked a sharp criticism in Chhattisgarh and state's ruling Congress as well as the BJP strongly condemned the incident.
Baghel, who returned to Chhattisgarh on Wednesday evening after a three-day hectic election campaigning tour for the party in Maharashtra ahead of the October 21 Assembly elections, told reporters at Raipur airport that he had instructed the state police chief to coordinate with his counterpart in Jammu and Kashmir on the issue.