10 Pilgrims Killed, 33 Injured In Terror Attack In J&K’s Reasi, Operation Launched To Nab Terrorists. A 53-seater bus carrying pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Shiv Khori temple, in Reasi, to Katra plunged into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire on Sunday evening. The police confirmed that at least 10 pilgrims were killed and 33 injured in the incident.
Mohita Sharma, Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police, said they received reports that militants had lay in wait and opened fire on the bus which was on its way to Katra from Shivpuri. He said the driver lost control and the bus fell into a deep gorge near Teryath village around 6pm yesterday evening. Sharma added that the identities of the dead and the injured are yet to be confirmed, but its believed that the pilgrims are from Uttar Pradesh.
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One of the pilgrims, who is undergoing treatment, said a masked terrorist in military-style combat fatigue stood in the middle of the road and fired on them indiscriminately. He added that he hear persistent gunshots when the bus rolled down the mountainside.
Joint Operation Launched To Hunt Down Terrorists In Reasi
J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the incident. He took to microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the cowardly terror attack. Sinha highlighted that the security forces have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists. Choppers have been deployed for aerial surveillance in the area and a massive cordon is looking for the terrorists in the thick forests of Reasi.
Reports say the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached the site to assist police and assess the situation on the ground. It’s believed that Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit may be behind this latest attack.
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Kashmir Has Been Thriving Since Abrogation of Special Status
This is the first terror attack in Kashmir since the abrogation of the state’s special status in 2019. Hemant Mahajan, a defense expert, said Kashmir has seen a turn for the good in recent years.
He highlighted the increase recorded in Kashmir’s tourism. Mahajan said this gives opportunities to the residents to do their business and get jobs, but such terror attacks will damage everything. He also put the spotlight on the Amarnath Yatra which is going to start and the same route it takes on which the attack took place. The defense expert urged the security forces to take offensive actions.
