Nine people were killed and 33 were injured on Saturday after suspected terrorists opened fire in front of a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district that led to the vehicle plunge into a deep gorge.
An official told PTI that the bus was carrying pilgrims on their way to the Shiv Khori temple and the attack took place in Teryath village in Poni area of Reasi around 6:15 pm.
The 33 injured have been referred to various hospitals -- 13 in Reasi, five in CHC Treyath and 15 to GMC in Jammu.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma told reporters, " "Nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured."
A rescue operation was launched and reinforcements from police, army and paramilitary forces rushed to the spot, the officials said.
Sharma said they usually remain on high alert and have fully secured the Shiv Khori temple with frequent conduct of area domination patrols in the adjoining areas for the past many days.
"We have also started firing practice for the Village Defence Guards and they all have been put on alert," the SSP said.
The attack marks a significant escalation in violence in the region. Reasi district has been relatively untouched by terrorist activities compared to neighbouring areas such as Rajouri and Poonch.
J&K Terror Attack: What Happened With Bus In Reasi?
Jammu and Kashmir police spokesperson said in a statement that a bus carrying yatris from Shiv Khori to Katra was targeted "apparently by terrorists using firearms" at about 6.10 PM in the Pouni area of Reasi district bordering Rajouri district.
The driver was hit and lost control, resulting in the bus sliding into the nearby gorge.
"With the help of local villagers, police have evacuated all the passengers by 8.10 pm. SP Reasi supervised the evacuation and dispatched the injured to different hospitals.
A joint security force temporary operation headquarters by Police, Army and CRPF has been set up at the site and a multidimensional operation has been launched to get at the attackers.
J&K Terror Attack: Ministers, Leaders React And Condole Deaths In Accident
Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said those involved in the dastardly terror attack on pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law.
Soon after taking oath as Union Minister for the second time on Sunday, Shah said he had spoken to Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and DGP R R Swain and took stock of the situation arising after the terror attack that has claimed nine lives so far.
"Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident. The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law," he wrote on 'X'.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the prime minister directed him to constantly monitor the situation and ensure all possible help to the affected families.
"The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed me to constantly monitor the situation and to ensure all possible assistance to the families," Sinha said in a post on X.
The Lieutenant Governor said that security forces have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists and those behind the attack will be punished soon.
"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 & JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists," he said.
Former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), Mehbooba Mufti of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) also condemned the terrorist attack.
"Terrible news from Reasi in J&K ... I unequivocally condemn this attack. It is unfortunate to see areas that had previously been cleared of all militants see a return of militancy. May the deceased rest in peace & may the injured make a swift recovery," Omar posted on X.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday described the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi locality as "extremely reprehensible".
"The attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely reprehensible," Singh said on 'X'.
The Congress said the incident reflects the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Even while PM, Shri Narendra Modi and his NDA Government get sworn in and heads of several countries are in the country, a dastardly terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims has resulted in loss of lives.. ."
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. "I am deeply distressed to learn of a bus accident in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in which a number of pilgrims have died. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X.
