Terror attack in Reasi Nefarious design to spread turmoil in Jammu region: LG
TNN Bureau. Updated: 6/11/2024 12:49:32 AM
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Holds security review meeting; combing operation launched to track down terrorists; NIA, SIA visit spot
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said Monday the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district was part of nefarious designs to spread turmoil in the Jammu region, and asserted that such an attempt would be thwarted.
Nine people were killed and 41 injured as terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus, on its way 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 the Teryath village of the Poni area on Sunday.
"An unfortunate incident happened yesterday evening when terrorists targeted the driver of a bus as a result of which he lost control and the vehicle plunged into a gorge, resulting in the death of nine people. A joint operation by police, CRPF and the Army is underway to punish those responsible," Sinha told reporters at the Government Medical College here after meeting with 18 of those injured admitted to the facility.
He said Director General of Police R R Swain and his team are on the spot, supervising the anti-terror operation.
"Our immediate priority is saving the lives of those injured. We know there is no compensation for the loss of life but to help the families, the administration has approved an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each for the injured," Sinha said.
The lieutenant governor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah were keeping a close watch on the situation and spoke to him immediately after the attack.
"Those responsible will not be spared. The attack is part of a nefarious design to somehow spread turmoil to the Jammu region but we are determined to thwart such an attempt," Sinha said.
The lieutenant governor also visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in the Katra area of Reasi to enquire after 14 injured passengers admitted there.
"Met the injured pilgrims at Government Medical College, Jammu & Narayana Hospital, Katra and wished them a speedy recovery. The entire nation stands firmly with the families of martyred pilgrims in this hour of grief," Saxena wrote on 'X'.
An official spokesperson said Sinha was closely monitoring the situation and has directed the district and hospital administration to ensure the best possible medical care and all necessary assistance to the affected families.
The bus was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.
Meanwhile, LG held a high-level security review meeting here, a day after a deadly terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district.
"Chaired a security review meeting with the officials of J&K Police and Civil Administration. I assure the people that those behind attack on pilgrims in Reasi and those aiding and abetting them will be punished," the Lt Governor wrote on X.
The post was shared by the office of the Lt Governor on its official handle along with two pictures of the meeting.
Moreover, A massive manhunt is underway for three foreign terrorists, possibly of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the deadly attack on pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi that resulted in the loss of nine lives, including a two-year-old, officials involved in the investigation said on Monday.
Based on the statements recorded by those injured in the attack, the officials said they have not ruled out the possibility of a fourth person being present at the spot who acted as a lookout for the three terrorists.
Following the attack, a joint operation was launched involving the police, the Army, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and central intelligence agencies.
Survivors of the attack are recording their statements as part of the ongoing probe into the attack, while a thorough combing operation is underway to track down the perpetrators, the officials said.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit, initially claimed responsibility for the attack but retracted its statement later.