At least nine people were killed, along with a child, while 33 other passengers were injured in a suspected terrorist attack on a bus in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Sunday. The bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh plunged into a deep gorge at around 6:15 pm, after suspected terrorists opened fire on it, officials said.
The 53-seater bus on its way to the Shiv Khori temple came under attack in Teryath village in Poni area, the officials said citing initial reports. Following this, a rescue operation was launched and reinforcements from police, army and paramilitary forces rushed to the spot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took stock of the situation and directed J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to constantly monitor the situation and ensure all possible help to the affected families.
President Droupadi Murmu said the terrorist attack was a ‘dastardly act’ and that the nation stood with the victims’ families. “This dastardly act is a crime against humanity, and must be condemned in the strongest words. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the President posted on X.
Meanwhile, newly-sworn in Minister Rajnath Singh described the terror attack as “extremely reprehensible”. “My heart goes out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this heinous act against pilgrims,” he tweeted.
Union Minister Amit Shah said those involved in the dastardly terror attack on pilgrims will not be spared and will “face the wrath of the law”. Soon after taking oath as Cabinet minister for the second time on Sunday, Shah said he had spoken to Manoj Sinha and J&K DGP RR Swain and took stock of the situation.
Condemning the attack, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Even while PM, Shri Narendra Modi and his NDA Government 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.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the cowardly terrorist attack is extremely saddening and the “entire country stands united against terrorism”. “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,” he tweeted.
(With agency inputs)