A bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Sunday, allegedly after terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma said nine people had died in the incident.
According to locals, the bus was on its way from Ransoo near Shiv Khori – a shrine devoted to Lord Shiva – to Katra town, which acts as base camp to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta hills. The bus, with a Jammu and Kashmir registration number, was carrying several pilgrims, locals said.
Initial reports suggest two masked terrorists opened fire, hitting the driver near Kanda Chandi Morh and causing the vehicle to crash into a gorge.
The incident was confirmed by Reasi Deputy Commissioner, who was on his way to the spot. The area falls on the border of Reasi and Rajouri district, and movement of terrorists has been reported there in the past as well.
Police and security forces have rushed to the area to launch a rescue operation.
Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: “The cowardly terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shivkhodi temple in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is extremely saddening. This shameful incident is the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The entire country stands united against terrorism.”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on social media platform X: “Even while PM, Shri Narendra Modi and his NDA Govt get sworn in and heads of several countries are in the country, a dastardly terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims has resulted in loss of lives of at least 10 Indians. We unequivocally condemn this gruesome terror attack on our people and deliberate affront to our National Security.”
He added, “Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims wish and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Government & authorities should provide immediate assistance and compensation to the victims. Just three weeks ago, tourists were fired upon in Pahalgam, and several terror incidents in Jammu & Kashmir are continuing unabated. All the chest-thumping propaganda of bringing peace and normalcy by the Modi (now NDA) Govt rings hollow.”
Union minister Amit Shah said he was deeply pained by the incident and added that the culprits “will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law.” “Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident. The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law,” he said in a post on X.
“The local administration is working on a war footing to provide immediate medical attention. May the Almighty give the loved ones of the deceased the strength to bear this pain. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah added.
