In a heart-wrenching incident that shook the nation, nine Hindu pilgrims, including two children, were killed in a brutal militant attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir. The assault occurred as the bus, carrying devotees from various states to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, was targeted near Ransoo in the Reasi district.
The attack unfolded on a seemingly peaceful Sunday morning, turning a spiritual journey into a scene of horror. According to eyewitnesses, militants ambushed the bus just a few kilometers from Ransoo. The assailants opened fire mercilessly, causing the driver to lose control and the bus to plummet into a gorge. The violence didn’t cease even as the vehicle lay wrecked; militants continued firing for nearly five minutes, witnesses recalled.
Rescue and recovery efforts were swift, with local residents, police, and security forces working together to aid the survivors and retrieve the bodies. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Reasi, Katra, and Jammu, where they are currently receiving medical care.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and assured that the attackers would be brought to justice swiftly. Manoj Sinha, the region’s top administrator, announced compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured, reinforcing the government’s commitment to support the victims.
This tragic event is a sombre reminder of the ongoing security challenges in the Jammu and Kashmir region, a hotspot of conflict between India and Pakistan for over six decades. Despite efforts to stabilise the area, the shadow of violence looms large, threatening the lives and peace of its residents.
As the nation mourns, the community stands in solidarity with the victims’ families, hoping for peace and justice in the days to come.
