Eight pilgrims killed as their bus comes under fire in Jammu’s Reasi

At least eight pilgrims were killed and several others were injured after their bus came under fire from gunmen in Jammu on Sunday afternoon. 

The 53-seater bus was fired upon at around 6:10 p.m. in the Pouni area of Jammu’s Reasi district. Officials said that the bodies of the victims, including the bus driver, bore bullet wounds, adding that there were also empty cartridges at the spot.

“Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra. The driver lost control of the bus and fell into a gorge. Thirty-three people were injured,” said Mohita Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Reasi.

The rescue operation was completed by 8 p.m., and the injured have been shifted to three hospitals. Most of the victims were not local residents, but were pilgrims returning to Katra from the Shiv Khori temple. Security forces have set up check points and started combing operations in the area.

The attack occurred even as Narendra Modi was taking oath as the Prime Minister of India in New Delhi to start his third consecutive term.