Srinagar: In a tragic incident on Sunday evening, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine plunged into a deep gorge in Reasi district of Jammu after a terror attack, resulting in the death of at least 10 people and injuries to nearly three dozen others.
The incident happened at around 6:10 pm when the bus carrying pilgrims on their way to the Shiv Khori temple, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, came under terror attack in Teryath village in Poni area, officials said. The terrorists opened fire at the bus during which the driver got injured and lost control over the vehicle.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma confirmed that nine pilgrims were killed after terrorists attacked the bus ferrying pilgrims while 33 were injured. DH has learnt that 10 people have been killed.
“The bullet hit the driver of the bus after which he lost control and plunged into a gorge. This is an unfortunate incident in which nine persons lost their lives and 33 others injured,” she told reporters.
The SSP added that prima facie it looks that terrorists were waiting for the bus and attacked it on the highway.
Reports said a massive rescue operation was immediately launched. Security forces and medical teams were dispatched to the site to assist the injured and recover the deceased. The reinforcements are working tirelessly to ensure all the injured receive timely medical attention and to secure the area.
The incident took place 10 days after 22 pilgrims, including nine women and two children, lost their lives and 57 were injured after a bus from UP's Hathras spun off a road and fell into a deep gorge in neighboring Akhnoor district.
In November 2023, at least 39 passengers were killed and 17 others injured after a bus they were travelling in veered off a mountain road and rolled 300 feet down a hill onto another road in the Doda district.
Published 09 June 2024, 14:22 IST