• NIA team inspects spot, US-made M4 Rifles used to target bus
• 11 teams of SF’s deployed in the area: DIG Udhampur Range
• Drones, choppers pressed into search operation
Srinagar, June 10: Top security officials revealed on Monday that two to three foreign terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were behind the deadly attack on pilgrims in the Reasi district, which resulted in nine deaths and 41 injuries.
A senior official at PCR Jammu informed Rising Kashmir that a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visited the site and coordinated with the police to investigate the incident. “The attack was carried out by 2-3 foreign LeT terrorists, one of whom fired from a US-made M4 rifle,” the official stated.
“These rifles, developed in the 1980s, are used extensively by militaries worldwide,” he added, noting that an investigation has commenced.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of UdhampurReasi Range, Rayees Mohammad Bhat, spoke to reporters about the ongoing search for the terrorists hiding in the dense forests. “We have deployed 11 teams along two axes to conduct the search operation around the incident spot, with coordination from Army and CRPF teams,” Bhat said.
Regarding the use of foreign weapons in the terror operation, DIG Bhatsaid that details are still emerging. “It is premature to conclude the specifics of the weapons used, but automatic weapons and empty cartridges were found at the scene. We are analyzing all evidence related to the case,” he noted. “Based on eyewitness accounts and our analysis, it appears there may have been two terrorists involved.”
Security forces, including the Army and the State Disaster Response Force, have launched a massive cordon and search operation to track down the perpetrators. Drones and helicopters are being utilized in the operation.
Survivors of the attack are recording their statements as part of the ongoing investigation. The attack occurred when terrorists opened fire on a 53-seater bus traveling from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge near Teryath village in the Poni area of Reasi district.
The bus was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Ten people, including a two-year-old boy from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, died in the attack. Forty-one were injured in the ambush, with 10 suffering gunshot injuries.
Victims’ families urge PM Modi for strong response to Pak
Jaipur, June 10 : The family members of the Reasi bus terror attack, in which nine people lost their lives, urged Prime Minister NarendraModi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan.
Rajesh Kumar Mishra, father of one of the injured Atul Kumar Mishra, said that his son has injuries on his arms and forehead.
“My son, Atul Kumar Mishra, left for Vaishno Devi on June 6. He reached there on 7th June and stayed on June 8… When he was returning on the 9th, at 5:30 pm, terrorists attacked the bus, after which the bus fell into the ditch. My son has injuries on his arms and forehead and my daughter-in-law is also injured. They are doing fine and I was able to talk to them quite a few times… They will come back today or tomorrow… Pakistan was not happy with PM Modi taking the oath. I request PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. This cowardly attack should not happen again,” Mishra told ANI.
Meanwhile, Kirti Azad, the brother-in-law of the deceased, demanded strict action and requested that the central and state governments make arrangements to bring the deceased back.
“PawanSaini (his brother) had told that he was being taken to the hospital and he had no information about his wife (PoojaSaini) and two-year-old son (LivanshSaini).
According to the latest information, Pooja and her son are dead. Their parents were also with them and we have information that even they are dead. I request that the central and state governments make arrangements to bring them back. Strict action should be taken,” the brother-in-law of the deceased said.
Rajesh Saini, the brother of one of the injured, said, “We had received a call from the rescue team. Pawan (injured) had given our number. He informed me about the terrorist attack & said that he was being shifted to the hospital.”
The terror attack took place in J-K’s Reasi district on Sunday after a vehicle fell into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire killing at least nine people and leaving over 30 injured.(ANI)
