Terror Attack in Jammu and Kashmir kills 9 pilgrims, over 30 injured

At least nine people killed, more than thirty injured after a bus carrying pilgrims came under terrorist attack and then plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Raesi on Sunday evening. The bus was fired upon by terrorists, suspected to have been waiting for the bus. The driver was hit and lost control, the bus then fell into a gorge. 

The bus was returning from the Shiv Kheri cave Shrine to Katra, a town known for the Vishnu Devi temple, claim police officials. Most of the pilgrims were from Uttar Pradesh. “Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus... Due to the firing, the bus driver lost balance of the bus and it fell into the gorge. Thirty-three people were injured in the incident. The rescue operation has been completed. The identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet. They are not locals”, said Senior Superintendent Of Police Mohita Sharma. 

Police, Army and CRPF personnel were deployed immediately for sanitisation of the area. The area was cordoned off. Eye witnesses claim two masked men were waiting on the road, one, attempting an ambush, opened firing at the bus by standing almost on middle of the Link Road od NH144A. “Prima facie it appears that the terrorists were waiting for the bus”, added SSP Mohita Sharma. 

The shocking attack also signalled a significant escalation in violence in the region. Reasi district has been relatively untouched by terrorist activities compared to neighbouring Rajouri and Poonch. Amit Shah, soon after the swearing in ceremony for NDA 3.0, assured that the culprits will be punished at the earliest. “Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on the pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke with the lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident. The culprits of the dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law”, Shah posted on ‘X’.