NEW DELHI: In a tragic incident, at least ten pilgrims lost their lives, and more than 30 sustained injuries when their bus veered off the road and fell into a gorge after being ambushed by terrorists near Teryath village in J&K’s Reasi district on Sunday. Here is what we know so far about the terrorist attack:
Attack on pilgrims
The bus was on its way back from the Shiv Khori cave shrine to Katra, a town famous for the Vaishno Devi temple, traveling along a link road of NH144A that passes through dense forests and hilly terrain.
Residents and authorities carried out rescue efforts, while security forces, including police, Army, and CRPF personnel, launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers. The area, situated 100km northwest of Jammu, has been sealed off.
Pre-planned attack
According to Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma, the terrorists were waiting for the bus. The driver was hit by gunfire, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Bullet shells were discovered from the site.
Preliminary reports suggest that two masked terrorists fired at the bus, striking the driver. The identities of the dead and injured have not yet been confirmed, but it is believed that the pilgrims are from Uttar Pradesh.
Expansion of terrorism
This ambush indicates a potential expansion of terrorist activities into new regions, as Reasi district had previously remained unaffected by the recent wave of attacks in the neighboring districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The Pir Panjal route, known for its challenging terrain, is often used by terrorists to infiltrate into Jammu from the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri before proceeding towards Kashmir.
Attack by Pak-based terrorists?
Sources suspect the involvement of Illiyas Fauji, an ex-Pakistani army SSG commando who turned LeT operative, and two other terrorists from Pakistan, who have been on the run since the deadly attack on an IAF convoy in Poonch on May 4.
The most recent attack in Reasi occurred on May 13, 2022, when terrorists used “sticky bombs” on a bus transporting pilgrims from Katra to Jammu, resulting in four fatalities and 13 injuries.
Past attack on pilgrims
Sunday’s attack is reminiscent of the July 10, 2017, assault on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims, which claimed the lives of seven and injured 19. In that incident, the driver managed to save 52 passengers despite heavy gunfire.
According to Union home ministry data, eight civilians were killed in J&K in the first five months of this year up to May 31.
Attack raises security concerns over Amarnath Yatra
On Friday night, Jammu ADGP Anand Jain reviewed the security measures in place for the forthcoming pilgrimages in the region. The review included the preparations for the yearly Amarnath Yatra. According to officials, Jain stressed the importance of setting up joint control rooms to improve coordination among all agencies involved, to ensure the seamless execution of not only the Amarnath yatra but also the Mata Kheerbhawani mela, Budha Amarnath yatra, and Shri Machail yatra.
The Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters in the south Kashmir Himalayas, is set to host its annual pilgrimage from June 29 to August 19.
Attack on pilgrims
The bus was on its way back from the Shiv Khori cave shrine to Katra, a town famous for the Vaishno Devi temple, traveling along a link road of NH144A that passes through dense forests and hilly terrain.
Residents and authorities carried out rescue efforts, while security forces, including police, Army, and CRPF personnel, launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers. The area, situated 100km northwest of Jammu, has been sealed off.
Pre-planned attack
According to Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma, the terrorists were waiting for the bus. The driver was hit by gunfire, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Bullet shells were discovered from the site.
Preliminary reports suggest that two masked terrorists fired at the bus, striking the driver. The identities of the dead and injured have not yet been confirmed, but it is believed that the pilgrims are from Uttar Pradesh.
Expansion of terrorism
This ambush indicates a potential expansion of terrorist activities into new regions, as Reasi district had previously remained unaffected by the recent wave of attacks in the neighboring districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The Pir Panjal route, known for its challenging terrain, is often used by terrorists to infiltrate into Jammu from the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri before proceeding towards Kashmir.
Attack by Pak-based terrorists?
Sources suspect the involvement of Illiyas Fauji, an ex-Pakistani army SSG commando who turned LeT operative, and two other terrorists from Pakistan, who have been on the run since the deadly attack on an IAF convoy in Poonch on May 4.
The most recent attack in Reasi occurred on May 13, 2022, when terrorists used “sticky bombs” on a bus transporting pilgrims from Katra to Jammu, resulting in four fatalities and 13 injuries.
Past attack on pilgrims
Sunday’s attack is reminiscent of the July 10, 2017, assault on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims, which claimed the lives of seven and injured 19. In that incident, the driver managed to save 52 passengers despite heavy gunfire.
According to Union home ministry data, eight civilians were killed in J&K in the first five months of this year up to May 31.
Attack raises security concerns over Amarnath Yatra
On Friday night, Jammu ADGP Anand Jain reviewed the security measures in place for the forthcoming pilgrimages in the region. The review included the preparations for the yearly Amarnath Yatra. According to officials, Jain stressed the importance of setting up joint control rooms to improve coordination among all agencies involved, to ensure the seamless execution of not only the Amarnath yatra but also the Mata Kheerbhawani mela, Budha Amarnath yatra, and Shri Machail yatra.
The Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters in the south Kashmir Himalayas, is set to host its annual pilgrimage from June 29 to August 19.
