Nine pilgrims lost their lives and 33 others sustained injuries after a bus traveling to the Shiv Khori cave temple was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district this evening. The bus plunged into a gorge following the attack.
The tragic incident occurred when terrorists opened fire on the bus, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to tumble into the gorge. District Magistrate Vishesh Mahajan confirmed the casualties and injuries to NDTV.
Reasi’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohita Sharma, reported that initial findings indicated the terrorists targeted the passenger bus, leading to the driver’s loss of control. The rescue operation, now completed, involved police, army, and paramilitary forces. The passengers’ identities have yet to be confirmed, but it is known they are not locals. The Shiv Khori shrine has been secured, and area domination measures are in place.
Visuals from the scene depicted bodies scattered along the hillside and a severely damaged bus. Local residents were seen assisting in rescue efforts, with ambulances on-site to transport the injured.
This attack signifies a serious escalation in regional violence, with Reasi previously experiencing less terrorist activity compared to nearby districts like Rajouri and Poonch.
