Terrorists ambush bus carrying yatris

Rajouri, June 9: Nine people were killed and thirty-three others were injured when terrorists ambushed a bus, carrying Shivkhori shrine pilgrims, presumably from Uttar Pradesh, at Kanda Morh in Reasi district on Sunday.

Immediately after the attack, security forces launched a massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area and a temporary operational base was also established at the site to supervise the operation launched to nab the terrorists.

Attack occurred at around 6.10 pm on Sunday evening when this bus JK02AE 3485 was on its way to Katra from Shiv Khori shrine in Ramsoo. At Kanda Morh, a few kilometres ahead of Bharakh market, terrorists hiding in dense forests ambushed the vehicle, firing indiscriminately upon it.

SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma, while speaking to the media, said, “In this unfortunate incident, nine people are feared dead and thirty-three others are injured in this terrorist attack on the bus, on way to Katra from Shiv Khori. Rescue operation has been completed. Injured are not locals. Though their identity is still being ascertained yet presumably they are from Uttar Pradesh.”

She stated that following recent terror attacks, security forces were on high alert. “Shivkhori shrine area was fully secured. Area domination activities in the adjoining stretches around the shrine and firing practices with VDGs were also carried out,” she said.

Out of 33 injured, 26 were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu. Identity of dead and injured was being ascertained

Earlier, a police spokesperson, in an official statement, said, “At about 6.10 pm in Pouni area of Reasi district bordering Rajouri district, a bus carrying yatris from Shiv Khori to Katra was targetted apparently by terrorist using firearms.”

“The driver was hit, who lost control resulting in the bus sliding into the nearby gorge. With the help of local villagers, police evacuated all the passengers by 8.10 pm. SP Reasi supervised the evacuation and dispatched the injured to different hospitals,” spokesperson said.

He further added, “Eight deaths have been confirmed while thirty three injured have been hospitalised,” he added.

“A joint security force temporary operation headquarter of police, army and CRPF has been set up at the site and a multidimensional operation has been launched to get the attackers,” spokesperson said.

Officials said that soon after this attack, a team of police from Teryath police post of Rajouri and Pouni police station of Reasi reached the site and launched a rescue operation.

Twenty three injured were initially brought to CHC Teryath, the officials said, adding that four bodies were also brought to Teryath Hospital while other injuries and bodies were taken to Pouni CHC.

All the injured were then shifted to Katra District Hospital and Narayana Hospital, Katra. Later in the evening, 26 injured, requiring advanced treatment, were referred to GMC, Jammu.