TERRORIST ATTACK ON BUS: Eyewitnesses of the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening say that the terrorists continued firing on the bus for several minutes.
Eyewitnesses gave horrific details about the attack, with one survivor describing how 25 to 30 bullets were fired on the bus, after which the bus fell into a ditch.
Temporary operation headquarters set up
A joint security force temporary operation has been set up by the police, army and CRPF at the site and a multi-dimensional operation for terrorist has been launched to find the attackers.
Security forces have been deployed from Reasi and neighbouring Rajouri district for a massive search to trace and eliminate the terrorists responsible for this heinous act.
The incident speaks of the continued threat of Pakistan-based terrorist elements spreading unrest and reviving terrorism in the Jammu region.
Attackers will not be spared
Union Minister Amit Shah said that those involved in the brutal terror attack on pilgrims will not be spared and will have to face the wrath of law.
Soon after taking oath as Union Minister for the second time on Sunday, Shah said that he spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Jammu and Kashmir DGP RR Swain and took stock of the situation arising after the terror attack.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the Prime Minister took stock of the situation after the attack and he is being constantly monitored and given reports of the situation.
Gram Raksha Dals kept on alert
Senior Superintendent of Police of Reasi Mohita Sharma said that the police are generally on high alert and have completely secured the Shiv Khori temple with continuous patrolling in the surrounding areas for the last several days.
The SSP said, ‘We have also started firing practice for the Gram Raksha Guards and all of them have been kept on alert.’
Three women among the dead
Reasi Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, who reached the spot to coordinate the rescue and search operation, said that three women are among the dead. People protested.
On the other hand, many groups of people protested in various areas of Jammu division including Reasi against the terrorist attack and demanded strict action against the culprits.
Reasi district was relatively untouched by terrorist activities earlier compared to neighboring areas like Rajouri and Poonch. Local people reached the spot and started helping the victims.
Abdullah, Mehbooba condemned
Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC)’s Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s Mehbooba Mufti and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP)’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, apart from UP CM Yogi Adityanath also condemned the terrorist attack.
Omar wrote on Instagram, ‘Terrible news from Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir… I unequivocally condemn this attack.
It is unfortunate to see that terrorism has returned to areas from which all terrorists were previously cleared. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and I wish the injured a speedy recovery.’
Second incident in the last three decades
This was the second time in the last three decades that terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in July 2017, terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag district of Kashmir, killing seven pilgrims and injuring 19 others.
