Reasi terror attack: 9 pilgrims killed, leaders express condolences; PM Modi reviews situation

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June 10, 2024
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PTC News Desk: Attackers opened fire on a bus bringing pilgrims from the Shiv Khori cave temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu, resulting in at least nine pilgrims—including a child—losing their lives and 33 other passengers being injured.

Around 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, the 53-seat bus that was ambushed by terrorists in Reasi swerved off the road and fell into a steep canyon.

#WATCH | J&K: On the Reasi terror attack, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma says, "The militants fired upon the bus yesterday… 9 people are reportedly dead and 33 were injured and are being treated in different hospitals. As per eyewitnesses, 2 (terrorists) were there. Combing operation… pic.twitter.com/d1y4FuTYQa

— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

“A Yatri bus traveling from the district of Reasi’s Ransoo area was ambushed by a gang of terrorists. The attack caused the bus’s driver to lose control, and as a result, it plunged down a steep gorge close to Pouni’s Kanda neighbourhood. Nine individuals lost their lives in the tragedy, and 33 more were hurt, according to Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma.

Here are the latest updates on the attack:

1. The following individuals, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad, as well as President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Congressmen Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, denounced the heinous act and expressed their condolences for the lives lost.

I am anguished by the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. This dastardly act is a crime against humanity, and must be condemned in the strongest words. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 9, 2024

2. President Murmu expressed his agony over the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi area, referring to the incident as a crime against humanity. This heinous deed is a crime against humanity and ought to be strongly denounced. The country is in solidarity with the victims’ families. I offer prayers for the injured people’s quick recovery.”

3. Following the terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assessed the situation and gave Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha instructions to keep a close eye on things and make sure the impacted families receive all the assistance they need. “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 wrote in a post to X. The LG added that those responsible for the attack will soon face consequences since security personnel have joined forces to hunt out the perpetrators.

4. Shortly after assuming office as a union minister, Amit Shah denounced the assault and declared that those responsible for the heinous act of terror would not escape punishment and would have to face the full force of the law. Shah added that in order to assess the situation, he had spoken with DGP R R Swain and LG Sinha.

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.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) June 9, 2024

5. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, conveyed her sorrow over the attack and called for an inquiry into the occurrence. “I was informed that nine people had died as a result of an attack on some pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. An investigation into the situation needs to be done right now. I send the families of the victims my sincere sympathies,” she uttered.

6. Reasi SSP Sharma described the disaster as a “clear case of terror attack” and stated that the injured pilgrims were taken to the local hospitals after a rescue operation was initiated as soon as possible. The SSP went on to say that although the identities of the deceased and injured have not yet been determined, they most likely came from Uttar Pradesh.

7. Among those who raced to the scene to help the casualties were the locals. Witnesses gave terrifying details of the assault; one survivor said the bus was hit by 25 to 30 gunshots before it fell into the gorge. Another witness remembered seeing someone firing on the bus while wearing a red muffler and mask.

8. The officer added that they regularly maintain a state of high alert and have completely guarded the Shiv Khori temple, conducting periodic area domination patrols in the surrounding districts. “We have also started firing practice for the Village Defence Guards and they all have been put on alert,” said the SSP.

9. A multimodal operation has been begun to target the assailants, and a joint security force comprising the army, police, and CRPF has also established a temporary operation headquarters at the location.

10. A number of people protested the terror attack and called for harsh action against the terrorists in several parts of the Jammu division, including Reasi.

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