Shot at point blank range, 2 migrants had moved to Kashmir hoping to earn a little extra

Bhupendra Bhaina, one of the two victims in the south Kashmir terror attack. (File Photo) The two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh killed in Friday’s terror attack in south Kashmir had gone to the Union Territory just months ago in the hope of earning a better living. Speaking to The Indian Express from Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, Anurag Bhaina, the younger brother of one of the dead workers, said the family learnt about the incident through their maternal uncle, who is also currently in Jammu and Kashmir.“My brother Bhupendra had been working in Jammu and Kashmir for the last four to five months. On Friday night, I received a call from my maternal uncle, Ganpat, informing me that Bhupendra had been shot by terrorists. He has left behind his wife and a three-year-old son,” Anurag Bhaina added. When asked how much more money they are able to make as labourers outside the state, Anurag Bhaina said, “We get around Rs 150 to Rs 250 more per day.” Thereafter, describing the family’s financial and emotional distress, Anurag Bhaina said, “Our parents are not well, and we are not in a position to travel to Kashmir. The authorities have informed us that my brother’s last rites will be performed in Jammu and Kashmir.” Bhupendra Bhaina was the eldest among three siblings, including two brothers and a sister. The family hails from Chuiya village in Chhattisgarh’s Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. Earlier, like his younger brother, he also worked as a migrant labourer in Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi. He was initially critically injured in the terror attack while another labourer from Chhattisgarh, Deepak Ratre, was killed on the spot after they were shot at point-blank range by terrorists.Story continues below this ad Bhupendra Bhaina was first admitted to Government Medical College, Anantnag, and later referred to SKIMS Srinagar for specialised treatment following surgery. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning, taking the death toll in the attack to two. The other victim, Deepak Ratre, 24, was the sole earner for his family. He was a resident of Bundeli village in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district. Speaking with the media, his uncle Haldhar Ratre said, “He had travelled to Jammu and Kashmir with his wife around seven to eight months ago to work at a brick kiln because he was getting better wages. The couple left behind their 4-year-old child with his minor sister back at their home in Chhattisgarh. Deepak’s father had died when he was young. His younger brother is physically disabled. With him gone, there is no one left in the family to earn a livelihood.” Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the deaths and described the killings of the two workers in the “cowardly terror attack” as deeply painful.Story continues below this ad He said necessary directions had been issued to officials and assured that the Chhattisgarh government stood firmly with the bereaved families and would extend all possible assistance. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and t