Two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh died after a shooting at a brick kiln in Kelam, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The men were identified as 24-year-old Deepak Ratre and 28-year-old Bhupender Bhaina.
Accounts differ over the timing and sequence of the deaths: one places the shooting on Thursday night and says Ratre died at the scene while Bhaina died in hospital, while another places the attack on Friday evening and says both died after being injured.
Manoj, Ratre’s brother, alleged that the attackers asked his brother where he was from and about his religion before shooting him after he identified himself as Hindu.
Security agencies investigating the attack had not formally confirmed that allegation.
The motive for the shooting remained under investigation.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the attack and announced grants of 2 million rupees for each of the two families.
Sai also said a senior state official would be sent to Jammu and Kashmir to assist with funeral arrangements in keeping with the victims’ religious customs.