The terror attack took place in J-K’s Reasi district on Sunday after a vehicle fell into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire killing at least nine people and leaving over 30 injured
Our Bureau
Jammu/New Delhi
In a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of nine pilgrims, the Jammu and Kashmir police have said that the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to be behind the attack on a bus Reasi district. Deputy Inspector General of Udhampur Reasi Range, Rayees Mohammad Bhat, provided an update on the investigation.
The bus, coming from Shiv Khori shrine to Katra, carrying pilgrims was targeted by terrorists at around 6.10 pm on Sunday, when it reached the Pouni area of Reasi district, bordering Rajouri district. Following the attack, the driver lost control and the bus plunged into the gorge killing at least nine people and leaving over 30 injured, the officials said.
According to officials, the bus, en route from the Shiv Khori shrine to Katra, was targeted by terrorists at around 6.10 pm when it reached the Pouni area of Reasi district, bordering Rajouri district. J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and assured that those behind it would be punished.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on a bus in Reasi. My condolences to the family members of the martyred civilians. Our security forces and JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists,” the LG said in a post on X.
DIG Udhampur, Rayees Mohammad Bhat said, “We have launched searches, following the leads which we have regarding the terror attack. 11 of our teams are active. All the forces are operating jointly…We have called a lot of people for questioning. “As per the eyewitnesses we came to know that two terrorists were there but as per our analysis two to three terrorists must have been involved in this attack. We have called a lot of people for questioning. As far as analysis till now, we see Lashkar’s hand”.
Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohita Sharma said, “As per eyewitnesses, two (terrorists) were there as of now. A combing operation is underway in the area. Five teams have been formed to search in the area”.
“Nine people are reportedly feared dead and 33 were injured and are being treated in different hospitals,” she said. The SSP further said that five teams have been formed to conduct the search operation in the dense forest area in and around the incident spot.
Meanwhile, the family members of the Reasi bus terror attack have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Rajesh Kumar Mishra, father of one of the injured Atul Kumar Mishra, said that his son has injuries on his arms and forehead.
“My son, Atul Kumar Mishra, left for Vaishno Devi on June 6. He reached there on 7th June and stayed on June 8… When he was returning on the 9th, at 5:30 pm, terrorists attacked the bus, after which the bus fell into the ditch. My son has injuries on his arms and forehead and my daughter-in-law is also injured. They are doing fine and I was able to talk to them quite a few times… They will come back today or tomorrow… Pakistan was not happy with PM Modi taking the oath. I request PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. This cowardly attack should not happen again,” Mishra said.
Meanwhile, Kirti Azad, the brother-in-law of the deceased, demanded strict action and requested that the central and state governments make arrangements to bring the deceased back. “Pawan Saini (his brother) had told that he was being taken to the hospital and he had no information about his wife (Pooja Saini) and two-year-old son (Livansh Saini).
The terror attack took place in J-K’s Reasi district on Sunday after a vehicle fell into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire killing at least nine people and leaving over 30 injured. Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced a ex-gratia amounting to Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured in Reasi terror attack.
Also, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is assessing the situation in Reasi and the NIA’s forensic team is working on collecting evidence. The Jammu and Kashmir police said on Monday, that at least two terrorists were involved in the attack.
