On Sunday evening, as Prime Minister Modi was taking his oath of office in New Delhi, a tragic incident unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. A bus carrying pilgrims was ambushed by terrorists, causing it to plunge into a gorge. This brutal attack resulted in the deaths of nine people, including three women, and left 33 others injured. Below are the key points of the incident:
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- Timing of the Attack: The attack occurred around 6:15 pm, coinciding with PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
- Location: The incident took place in the Reasi district, which had previously seen minimal terrorist activity compared to nearby areas like Rajouri and Poonch.
- Target: The bus was carrying pilgrims traveling from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.
- Casualties: Nine people were killed, including three women, and 33 others were injured.
- Ambush Details: Terrorists ambushed the bus near Teryath village in the Poni area, causing it to lose control and fall into a deep gorge.
- Witness Accounts: Survivors described the bus being fired upon with 25 to 30 shots. A masked assailant in a red muffler was seen shooting at the bus.
- Response: Locals and security forces quickly responded, providing assistance to the victims and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
- Security Measures: A joint operation headquarters by the Police, Army, and CRPF was set up, and a comprehensive search operation was launched to locate the terrorists.
- Government Reaction: Union Minister Amit Shah condemned the attack, promising that those responsible would be held accountable. He also discussed the situation with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the J&K DGP.
- Political Reactions: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the incident, highlighting concerns about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
