In yet another barbaric attack, terrorists on Monday night killed seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and injured 19 others, including policemen, when they struck at a bus carrying them in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantang district. While returning from Baltal to Mir Bazar after darshan, the bus was attacked by terrorists in Batengoo around 8.20 pm. Seven people, including six women and one man were killed and 19 others were left injured when terrorists attacked an unescorted bus from Gujarat at Khanabal, Anantnag district on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
The terrorists also carried out two attacks on security forces in the area. As per the police sources, they attacked a mini bus carrying pilgrims from Gujarat. The bus was not officially registered with the Amarnath Shrine Board for the pilgrimage and was without police escort. The attack took place hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba module with the arrests of two persons, including Sandeep Kumar Sharma, who sources say had converted to Adil, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Talking to media, Gujarat bus driver Salim, who risked his life to save Amarnath Yatris said, “God gave me strength to keep moving, and I just did not stop. Lagatar firing huyi, main isliye ruka nahi, bus chalata raha (I did not stop the bus because there was continuous firing).”
Five of those killed belonged to Gujarat and two hailed from Maharashtra. The deceased were identified as Hasuben Ratila Patal, Surakha Ben and Lakshimiben S Patal from Valsad, Ratan Zeena Bhai Patal of Daman and Prajapati Champaben of Navsari. They were from Gujarat while two from Maharashtra were identified as Nirmala Ben Thakor, a resident of Palghar, and Usha Mohanla Sonkar of Danu.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.
IGP of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Javaid Gillani had this to post on his personal social media page – “Expectedly the cowardly attack on the Amarnath Yatris has evoked widespread condemnation from all shades of opinion in the valley.”
Meanwhile, authorities blocked internet services in the Valley.
Neighbouring countries Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka strongly condemn the terrorist attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. “Strongly condemn yesterday’s Amarnath terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. My deepest condolences to families of victims”, said Martin Ney,German Envoy to India.
Source: Zee News & News Sources