India investigates attack by suspected militants in Kashmir that killed nine people on Hindi pilgrimage

NEW DELHI (AP) — India is investigating an attack in which suspected militants opened fire on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing nine people and wounding 33, officials said Monday.

The attack caused the vehicle to plunge into a deep ravine in Reasi district of Jammu province on Sunday. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famous Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi.

A team from the National Investigation Agency has arrived at the scene of the attack, the news agency Press Trust of India reported. The security forces are also trying to track down the suspected perpetrators.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced compensation of $11,975 each for the families of those killed and nearly $600 for the injured.

Federal Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that he was in touch with Sinha and that the local administration was providing prompt medical attention. “The perpetrators of this heinous attack will not be spared and will face the punishment of the law,” he posted on the social media platform X.

A police official said some of the victims suffered gunshot wounds and blamed the attack on Muslim militants fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which left 33 other people injured.

Since 1989, rebel groups have been fighting for Kashmir’s independence or unification with neighboring Pakistan. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the region either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

New Delhi insists that the insurgency in Kashmir is Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies this charge, and most Kashmiris view the insurgency as a legitimate struggle for freedom.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government troops were killed in the conflict.

The nuclear powers India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both lay claim to the entire territory.