At least 10 people were killed and several others injured as bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in after suspected terror attack in Reasi district on Sunday evening, officials said.
Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the bus came under attack in Kanda area of Teryath in Reasi district.
They said that suspected terrorists opened fire at the bus during which the driver got injured and lost control over the vehicle.
“The bus fell into a deep gorge, resulting into death of at least 10 people on the spot while several injured. Some of them have also received gunshot wounds,” the officials said.
The bus carrying pilgrims was on way from Katra to Shiv Khori temple, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Meanwhile, a massive rescue operation was launched and security forces’ reinforcements also rushed to the spot.
Senior Superintendent of Police(SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma Sunday confirmed that nine pilgrims were killed after terrorists attacked the bus ferrying Shiv Kohri pilgrims in Reasi district while 33 persons were injured.
She was, however, quick to add that the bullet hit the driver of the bus after which he lost control and plunged into a gorge. Talking to reporters at the incident site, the SSP Reasi, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that police had secured the Shiv Kohri incident but terrorists chose to attack the bus ferrying non-J&K pilgrims of Shiv Kohri on the highway. “This is an unfortunate incident in which nine persons are feared dead and 33 others injured. Prima facie it looks that terrorists were waiting for the bus and attacked it on the highway. The driver of the bus was hit by a bullet after which the bus rolled down into the gorge,” she said.
She said that the identities of the slain and injured are being ascertained. “It seems the pilgrims were from Uttar Pradesh. She said that injured have been shifted to district hospital Reasi,” the SSP Reasi said—(KNO)
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