Terrorists Attack Pilgrims’ Bus in Jammu: 10 Dead, 30 Injured
In a horrifying incident in Reasi, Jammu, terrorists attacked a bus full of pilgrims, leaving a trail of devastation. A young man from Uttar Pradesh, injured in the attack, recounted that the terrorists fired in bursts of 5-6 rounds, paused, and then resumed firing. This tragic attack resulted in the death of 10 people and injuries to more than 30 others, who have been hospitalized in various facilities.
The Attack on Pilgrims
The bus, carrying pilgrims from Shivkhori to Katra, came under a sudden and brutal attack by terrorists. The assailants initially fired indiscriminately, hitting the driver and causing the bus to lose control and plunge into a ravine. Over 30 people sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in different hospitals. Following the attack, a comprehensive search operation was launched in the area.
Eyewitness Accounts
Santosh Kumar Verma from Balrampur, UP:
Santosh Kumar Verma, one of the injured pilgrims, shared his harrowing experience. “We were on our way to Katra after visiting Shivkhori. As the bus was descending, a terrorist started firing in the middle of the road. The driver was hit, and the bus fell into the ravine. The terrorists fired for about 20 minutes. When the firing ceased, the police arrived and rescued us with the help of locals. The terrorists would fire 5-6 shots, stop for five minutes, and then start again.”
Neelam Gupta from Gonda, UP:
Neelam Gupta described the chaos inside the bus. “We were returning from Shivkhori when the terrorists started firing. The bus lost control and fell into a ravine. We don’t know how many terrorists there were because the bus had already fallen. There were about 40 people in the bus, including children. My husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law were all injured.”
Neelam’s Son, Pallav:
Pallav added, “We were in the bus when the firing started. After a brief silence, we got out of the bus. I was stuck under a seat, and my dad pulled me out.”
Another pilgrim recalled seeing 6-7 terrorists with covered faces. “They surrounded the bus and opened fire. After the bus fell, they came down and continued shooting to ensure no one survived. We stayed quiet and hidden. The attack happened 30 minutes after leaving Shivkhori for Vaishno Devi.”
Government and Political Reactions
Home Minister Amit Shah:
Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice. He immediately contacted Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Director General of Police R.R. Swain to assess the situation.
Prime Minister’s Directive:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation and instructed continuous monitoring and assistance for the affected families. The perpetrators will be punished soon.
Political Condemnations:
The Congress party, led by President Mallikarjun Kharge, criticized the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Kharge pointed out the alarming reality of the region’s security. Leaders from various parties, including National Conference’s Farooq and Omar Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, DPAP’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, condemned the terrorist attack.
Identification and Rescue Efforts
Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma confirmed the attack, noting that the bus was ambushed as it traveled from Shivkhori to Katra. The driver lost control, resulting in the bus falling into the ravine. Rescue operations have concluded, but the deceased have not yet been identified. Preliminary reports suggest they were all from Uttar Pradesh. Sharma emphasized that the area has been on high alert with continuous patrolling and security around Shivkhori Temple.
This attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and the urgent need for stringent measures to protect pilgrims and civilians.
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