At least nine Hindu pilgrims were killed in India-controlled Kashmir on Sunday as the bus carrying them fell into a deep gorge following a suspected militant attack, officials said.
The militants attacked the bus traveling to the famous Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi in the Reasi district, senior administrative officer Vishesh Mahajan said.
Police said that a group of terrorists attacked a bus carrying yatries coming from Ransoo area of district Reasi."Due to attack, the bus driver lost control on the wheel and it plunged into the deep gorge near Kanda area of Pouni in Reasi," said police.
They said that nine pilgrims were killed and 33 others injured."The rescue operation was completed and the injured have been shifted to the nearby hospitals," police said,
They said that senior officers of police and other forces rushed to the spot and the area has been cordoned off while the search operation is launched.
SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said that the identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet as they are not locals."The Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done," said the SSP.
Police said that at about 6.10 PM in Pouni area of Reasi district bordering Rajouri district, a bus carrying yatries from Shiv Khori to Katra was targeted apparently by terrorist using fire arms.
"The driver was hit and he lost control on the vehicle, resulting in the bus sliding into the nearby gorge," said police adding that with the help of local villagers, police has evacuated all the passengers.
Nine deaths have been confirmed so far and the 33 injured have been referred to various hospitals at Reasi, Treyath and Jammu GMC."A joint security force have launched operation at the site and multi-dimensional operation is in progress to trace the attackers," said police.<>