In a tragic incident on June 9, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Shivkhori temple in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, came under attack, leading to the deaths of ten people from armed militants. Preliminary reports indicate that three pilgrims were killed by terrorists’ gunfire, and seven others lost their lives when the bus plunged into a deep gorge during the attack.
The attack occurred in Teryath village in the Poni area, officials said. The bus was en route to the Shivkhori temple, a popular pilgrimage site, when it was ambushed. As the attack unfolded, the driver lost control, causing the bus to fall into a gorge.
HUGE terror attack in J&K!
BREAKING: Teππorists opened fire on a pilgrim's bus returning from Shivkhoda Mandir to Katra. At least 3 k¡IIed. More casualties feared.
According to sources, it is the same group of terrorists who are hiding in the upper reaches of Rajouri, Poonch… pic.twitter.com/vs9JZF1coc
— Treeni (@treeni) June 9, 2024
A swift rescue operation was launched, with reinforcements from the police, army, and paramilitary forces rushing to the scene. Efforts to retrieve the bodies and provide medical assistance to the injured are ongoing.
This incident comes just days after another tragic bus accident in Akhnoor, where 22 pilgrims, including nine women and two children, lost their lives, and 57 were injured when a bus from UP’s Hathras fell into a gorge.
“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 statement following the Akhnoor incident.
The back-to-back tragedies have cast a pall of gloom over the region, with security forces and authorities on high alert to prevent further incidents.
