Nine Indian pilgrims killed after militant attack in Jammu

At least nine people were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a deep ravine following a suspected militant attack in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

News of the attack came as Narendra Modi took oath as prime minister for a record-breaking third term, drawing criticism from the main opposition party, the Congress.

“This shameful incident shows the true state of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said on X.

The Himalayan region, which Pakistan also claims, has been the scene of militant violence since an anti-Indian insurgency began in 1989.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed, but violence has subsided in recent years.

“Militants ambushed the bus and fired indiscriminately. The bus fell into a ravine, resulting in the death of nine pilgrims and injuring 33,” said Mohita Sharma, district police chief of Reasi.

The last major attack on Hindu pilgrims in the region occurred in 2017, when a bus was attacked, killing eight people.

Sunday’s attack came a day after police chief RR Swain said the number of local insurgents in the area was declining, but 70 to 80 foreign insurgents were still active.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and a manhunt for the attackers was launched, police said in a statement.

A state official had previously stated that it was feared that at least ten pilgrims had died.