CHAMBA: The Pahalgam terror attack on tourists has revived the memories of a similar horror in Himachal Pradesh 28 years ago.
On August 2, 1998, militants from Hizbul Mujahideen stormed a remote labour camp in Chamba’s Satrundi Kalavan, near the Kashmir border, and shot dead 35 Hindu workers.
Eyewitnesses claimed that only Muslim labourers were spared, while six others were abducted and their fate is still unknown. The victims, mostly migrant workers constructing roads in the rugged Sach Pass area, were shot dead in their tents.
Fate of 6 abducted labourers not known till date
After the massacre, security forces launched a massive manhunt, with central agencies declaring it a terror attack. The Home Ministry deployed additional forces, but the abducted labourers were never found.
Locals recall the chilling incident during the Minjar Mela, a festival attracting visitors from Kashmir, and demand heightened security.
“The 1998 massacre was a warning,” said a Chamba resident. “The government must ensure such horrors never repeat.”
Calls for vigilance amid echoes of Pehalgam
The 1998 Chamba attack mirrors the Pehalgam ambush, raising concerns about cross-border terror threats in border districts.
While security has improved since, residents urge stricter surveillance, especially in vulnerable zones. Authorities, however, assure proactive measures to prevent history from repeating.
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