At least 10 people died and 33 were injured when suspected militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir, police officials reported. The attack caused the driver to lose control, plunging the bus into a gorge in Reasi district. Rescue operations have concluded, but the Indian army and police are conducting a search operation to track down the attackers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the situation and has called for the best medical care for the injured. “All those behind this heinous act will be punished soon,” stated Manoj Sinha, the region’s top administrator, on X (formerly Twitter).
The bus was en route to the base camp of the famous Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi when it was ambushed. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but district police chief Mohita Sharma identified suspected militants as the perpetrators.
The Kashmir region has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with the two nuclear-armed neighbors having fought two wars over the territory since 1947. Since 1989, Indian-administered Kashmir has experienced an armed insurgency against Delhi’s rule, leading to thousands of deaths. Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting militants, a charge Pakistan denies.
The attack coincided with Narendra Modi taking oath for his third term as India’s prime minister. The passengers, believed to be from Uttar Pradesh, are yet to be identified. Photos show injured individuals, including a woman, being treated at a hospital in Jammu.
Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief and vowed that the attackers would face justice. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, criticized the security situation in the region, calling the incident a reflection of the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.
