Kashmiri Labourer From Ganderbal Among 13 Killed in Red Fort Blast in New Delhi

Press Trust of Kashmir

GANDERBAL, NOVEMBER 16 (PTK): Shock and sorrow swept across Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district after one of its residents was confirmed among the 13 victims of the deadly Red Fort blast that rattled New Delhi earlier this week.

The deceased, Bilal Ahmad Sango, son of Ghulam Hassan Sango, hailed from Baba Nagri, Wangath Kangan. The 29-year-old had moved to Delhi in 2019 in search of better employment opportunities, working as a labourer to support his family.

According to the family, Bilal had returned to Delhi only weeks ago after spending time at home in Kashmir. When news of the blast broke, his family made frantic attempts to contact him, hoping he had escaped unharmed.
That hope was shattered when authorities informed them late last night that Bilal was among those who lost their lives.
“We were praying that he might be safe but today they confirmed he is gone,” a relative told Press Trust of Kashmir, breaking down while describing the family’s grief.
“He was the backbone of our home. We don’t know how to move forward without him.”
As news of the tragedy spread, residents of Baba Nagri gathered outside the Sango household. Many described Bilal as soft-spoken, hardworking, and deeply responsible.
Neighbours remembered how he often took up extra work in Delhi to send more money home.
“He never thought about himself only about improving his family’s life,” said a family friend.
“His death is not only a loss for the family but for the entire community.”
Officials from the Jammu & Kashmir administration have initiated coordination with Delhi Police and disaster management teams to expedite the return of Bilal’s body.
According to officials, the post-blast identification process has been ongoing throughout the night due to the severity of the explosion and the number of casualties.
Delhi authorities have launched a full-scale investigation. Senior officers have confirmed that teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and National Security agencies are examining the blast site.
Sources in Delhi indicate that preliminary investigations suggest:
* The explosion was powerful enough to cause significant structural damage.
* Multiple teams are working to determine whether it was accidental, mechanical failure, or deliberate sabotage.
* CCTV footage around the Red Fort perimeter is being scrutinized for clues.
Bilal’s death highlights the quiet struggles of thousands of Kashmiri labourers who migrate to Indian cities every year. With limited local job opportunities, many young men travel to metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh, hoping to earn a steady income.
For many like Bilal, these cities offer survival but also vulnerability.
Local representatives and community heads in Ganderbal expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, urging the administration to support the impacted family.
Some have also called for:
* Insurance coverage for labourers working outside the Valley
* Emergency assistance funds for families affected by such incidents
* Better safety and tracking mechanisms for migrant workers
The Sango family, lost in grief, awaits the arrival of Bilal’s mortal remains. His mother, unable to speak, has been surrounded by women from the neighbourhood offering comfort.
The family hopes authorities will expedite all procedures so they can perform his final rites with dignity.
For now, Wangath village remains enveloped in silence mourning a young man who left home with dreams, only to return draped in tragedy.(PTK)