Terror attack in Reasi: 9 pilgrims killed, politicians condole, PM Modi takes stock of situation | Top updates | Latest news from India

At least nine pilgrims, including a child, were killed and 33 other passengers injured when terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori cave shrine to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Sunday evening.

9 dead and 33 injured in terrorist attack on pilgrim bus in J&K state in Reasi

Attacked by the terrorists, the 53-seater bus veered off the road at around 6:15 p.m. on Sunday and plunged into a deep ravine.

“A group of militants attacked a yatri bus coming from Ransoo area in Reasi district. The attack caused the bus driver to lose control and the bus fell into a deep ravine near Kanda area in Pouni. Nine people died and 33 others were injured in the accident,” said Mohita Sharma, SSP of Reasi.

Here are the latest updates on the attack:

1. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Congress presidents Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the heinous attack and expressed their condolences for the loss of lives.

2. President Murmu described the act as a crime against humanity and said: “I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. This heinous act is a crime against humanity and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for a speedy recovery of the injured.”

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation arising out of the terror attack and directed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to constantly monitor the situation and assure all possible help to the affected families. “Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed me to constantly monitor the situation and assure all possible help to the families,” Sinha said in a post on X. The Lieutenant Governor further said that the security forces have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists and those behind the attack would soon be punished.

4. Soon after being sworn in as Union Minister, Amit Shah condemned the attack and said that those involved in this heinous terrorist attack will not be spared and will have to face the punishment of law. Shah said he had spoken to LG Sinha and DGP RR Swain and had taken stock of the situation.

5. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the attack and demanded an investigation into the incident. “I have come to know that an attack on some pilgrims took place in Jammu and Kashmir, in which nine people lost their lives. The incident must be investigated immediately. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” ​​she said.

6. Reasi SSP Sharma termed the accident a “clear case of a terrorist attack” and said that a rescue operation was launched immediately and the injured pilgrims were being shifted to nearby hospitals. The SSP further said that the identities of the dead and injured had not yet been ascertained but they were likely to be from Uttar Pradesh.

7. Locals were among those who rushed to the scene and helped the victims. Eyewitnesses gave harrowing accounts of the attack. One survivor described how the bus was bombarded with 25 to 30 shots before it plunged into the ravine. Another witness recalled seeing a masked attacker in a red silencer firing at the bus.

8. The officer further said that they are usually on high alert and have fully secured the Shiv Khori Temple by conducting frequent area control patrols in the adjoining areas. “We have also started firing drills for the Village Defence Guards and they have all been put on high alert,” the SSP added.

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9. A joint security force comprising police, army and CRPF has also set up a makeshift operation headquarters at the accident site and launched a multi-dimensional operation against the attackers.

10. Several groups of people protested against the terror attack in different areas of Jammu division, including Reasi, demanding strict action against the terrorists. Reasi district had been relatively spared from terror activities as compared to neighbouring regions, including Rajouri and Poonch.

(With contributions from agencies)