A bus carrying pilgrims to Shivkhori in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi came under terrorist attack on Sunday. Nine people were killed and 33 injured in the incident, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said.
“Today at about 6.10 PM in Pouni area of Reasi district bordering Rajouri district, a bus carrying yatris from Shiv Khori to Katra was targeted apparently by terrorists using firearms,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement.
“The driver was hit and lost control, resulting in the bus sliding into the nearby gorge. With the help of local villagers, police evacuated all the passengers by 8.10 pm. SP Reasi supervised the evacuation and despatched the injured to different hospitals,” the police statement added.
A joint security force temporary operation Hqr by Police, Army, and CRPF has been set up at the site and a multidimensional operation has been launched to get at the attackers.
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Reinforcements from police, army, and paramilitary forces rushed to the spot and launched the rescue operation.
In contrast to Rajouri and Poonch, Reasi district has been relatively untouched by terrorist activities. But, this attack marks a significant escalation in violence in the region.
PM Modi on the Reasi attack
“Anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased due to the bus mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said in a post.
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