New Delhi: A bus carrying nearly 50 pilgrims fell into a gorge after it was attacked by militants in the Reasi district of Jammu Sunday evening, killing at least nine and injuring another 33 pilgrims on board. While the identity of the victims is not clear yet, Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohita Sharma confirmed that those attacked were not locals and that preliminary details suggest they are from Uttar Pradesh.
The bus carrying nearly 50 pilgrims fell into a deep gorge near the Kanda area under the limits of Pouni police station after the driver lost control in the wake of an attack by militants, SSP Sharma told ThePrint.
Coming from the Ransoo area of Reasi, the bus was headed towards Katra when a group of militants laid an ambush and opened fire at the bus, SSP Sharma added.
All injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals in Reasi district, and security forces have launched a search operation to track down the militants suspected to have carried out the attack.
“Today, a group of militants attacked a yatri bus coming from the Ransoo area of District Reasi. Due to the attack, the bus driver lost control, and the bus fell into the deep gorge near the Kanda area of Pouni, Reasi. Due to the accident, nine people are feared dead, and the rest are injured. The rescue operation was completed as soon as possible, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals,” SSP Sharma said.
“Senior officers of police and other forces rushed to the spot, and the area was cordoned off. Search operation launched,” she added.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)