In a harrowing incident on Sunday, nine people were killed and 42 others injured when terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi. The bus, traveling from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, was carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. The attack occurred near Teryath village in the Pouni area, causing the bus to veer into a deep gorge following the gunfire.
Two days after the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released a sketch of one of the terrorists involved, based on descriptions provided by eyewitnesses. A reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for any information leading to the capture of the terrorist.
The police spokesperson, quoted by news agency PTI, appealed to the public to come forward with any useful information about the terrorist. Following are the contact numbers where information can be provided:
SSP Reasi: 9205571332
ASP Reasi: 9419113159
DySP HQ Reasi: 9419133499
SHO Pouni: 7051003214
SHO Ransoo: 7051003213
PCR Reasi: 9622856295
In the wake of the attack, 11 teams of security personnel are actively working on the ground, with a multi-directional cordon established around the Ranso-Poni-Teryath belt. The Jammu and Kashmir Police suspect the involvement of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) assessed the situation in Reasi on Monday, and the NIA’s forensic team is collecting evidence. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured in the attack.
