Terrorists attack bus carrying pilgrims in J&K’s Reasi

The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 9th, marked a significant event for India. Yet, this day was overshadowed by a dreadful terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Reasi district on Sunday, June 9th, shattered the recent calm in the region. A bus carrying pilgrims returning from the holy Shiv Khori shrine was fired upon by unidentified gunmen, leading to a tragedy that claimed the lives of ten innocent people and injured over 30 others.

The incident took place near Teryath village in the Poni area. It is reported that gunmen fired at the bus, leading the driver to lose control. Consequently, the bus swerved off the road and tumbled into a deep gorge, causing a tragic accident.

Investigation into the attack

The investigation into the horrific bus attack in J&K’s Reasi district is in its initial stages but involves multiple agencies working together. Immediately following the attack, security forces including the army, police, and paramilitary personnel rushed to the scene. Their primary focus is to secure the area and prevent any further attacks. They are also conducting a search operation in the surrounding dense forests, hoping to locate the attackers. Drones are being deployed to scan the difficult terrain for any signs of the perpetrators.

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) are meticulously collecting evidence from the scene of the crime, including bullet casings, fingerprints, and DNA samples. Recovered bullets will undergo ballistic analysis to determine the specific weapon used. This information further will be compared to weapons seized in previous counter-insurgency operations to identify potential matches.

Investigators are recording statements from survivors of the attack. Their accounts of the incident, including the number of attackers, their appearance, and the direction from which the firing came, all of this information will be vital in understanding the events leading up to the attack.

Indian intelligence agencies are also gathering information from various sources, including human intelligence networks and electronic intercepts, to track down the attackers. They are looking for any claims of responsibility from militant groups.

Survivors recount their experiences of the attack

While recording the statements from the survivors of the traumatic attack, it was revealed that the attack for the pilgrims didn’t just end with the crash. They reported that the terrorists continued firing at the bus even as it fell into the gorge. One survivor recounted the attackers descending into the gorge and relentlessly firing for several minutes. In a desperate attempt to survive, passengers remained quiet, pretending to be dead. This paints a picture of the immense courage and fear experienced by those who lived through the attack.

Pakistan-backed group claims responsibility for the attack

Pakistan-backed, The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack and is a crucial piece of information for investigators. However, the true motive behind the bus attack remains unknown – it is noticeable that India and Pakistan have a long-standing history of conflict, and Pakistan has been accused several times in the past of supporting militant activities in Kashmir.

Given the seriousness of the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s premier counter-terrorism agency, has taken over the investigation.

Conclusion

This attack has raised concerns about the safety of pilgrims undertaking religious journeys and the investigation into the attack is ongoing, with the NIA taking center stage in determining the true motive behind the attack, whether it is linked to the TRF’s claim of responsibility or part of a larger strategic design.

This attack casts a shadow over the efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.