Despite repeated assurances from authorities and the implementation of various security protocols, the recent killing of two migrant workers in Kulgam highlights a persistent failure to protect vulnerable non-local labourers. The fact that terrorists were able to target workers at a brick kiln and escape under the cover of darkness suggests that current security measures are insufficient to prevent targeted killings. For many migrant workers, the promise of better wages is increasingly overshadowed by the constant threat of violence, raising questions about whether the government's current approach is truly capable of ensuring their safety.
Critics argue that the cycle of condemnation and compensation, while necessary, does not address the underlying security vulnerabilities that allow these attacks to occur with alarming frequency. The allegations from the victims' families that the attackers specifically identified the workers' religion before opening fire point to a targeted, communal dimension to these crimes that requires a more sophisticated intelligence and protection strategy. Without a fundamental change in how security is managed at the ground level—particularly in remote work sites—the region risks further alienating the migrant workforce and failing to provide the basic security that every worker deserves. The recurring nature of these incidents indicates that reactive measures are no longer enough to counter the evolving tactics of terror groups.