According to sources, three foreign terrorists were implicated in the assault on a civilian bus in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir. It has been reported that there are three terrorist organizations active in the area. Unverified information suggests that a minimum of two terrorists are currently hiding in the remote and forested parts of Reasi, making it challenging to locate and apprehend them. A large-scale search operation is currently in progress to track them down.
Reports also indicate that the terrorists utilized M4 carbines, which are American-manufactured assault rifles created in the 1980s and widely used by armed forces globally. There is a variant of this rifle that is allegedly in use by Pakistani special forces and the Special Security Unit of the Sindh Police.
The recent attack resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives and left 33 others wounded, prompting heightened concern within India’s intelligence agencies. This incident occurred on the day when Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has denounced the attack and stated that Prime Minister Modi is personally overseeing the situation. He assured that those responsible for the attack will face justice. “I strongly denounce the cowardly act of terrorism on a bus in Reasi. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased civilians. Our security forces and police are collaborating on a joint mission to apprehend the terrorists,” he declared.
The bus, carrying 53 passengers to the Shiv Khor cave temple, was targeted in the assault. After the initial gunfire, the bus swerved off the road and plunged into a gorge near a village named Teryath. Distressing images showed bodies strewn around and the bus severely damaged.
Mr. Modi, who was sworn in at a grand ceremony in Delhi approximately 700 km away just hours before, has been in contact with Mr. Sinha. The Prime Minister instructed Mr. Sinha to keep a constant watch on the situation.
President Droupadi Murmu and Amit Shah, the Home Minister in the Modi 2.0 government who has also been sworn in as a cabinet minister in this government, have also responded. Mr. Shah expressed being “deeply pained” by the attack and vowed that the perpetrators will face the consequences of the law.
From the opposition, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the “cowardly attack” and highlighted the concerning security situation in J&K. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stated, “Terrorism is a violent act against humanity…”
This attack represents a significant increase in violence in the region. Reasi district has seen less terrorist activities compared to neighboring Rajouri and Poonch.