Top security officials revealed that two to three foreign terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) orchestrated the deadly attack on pilgrims in the Reasi district. The attack resulted in nine deaths and left 41 others injured.

A senior official at PCR Jammu informed Rising Kashmir that NIA team visited the site and coordinated with the police to investigate the incident. The official stated, "The attack was carried out by 2-3 foreign LeT terrorists, one of whom used a US-made M4 rifle."

Official informed that NIA team visited the site and coordinated with the police to investigate the incident. "These rifles, developed in the 1980s, are used extensively by militaries worldwide," he added, noting that an investigation has commenced.

DIG of Udhampur-Reasi Range, Rayees Mohammad Bhat, addressed reporters regarding the ongoing search for the terrorists hiding in the dense forests. "We have deployed 11 teams along two axes to conduct the search operation around the incident spot, with coordination from Army and CRPF teams," Bhat said.

DIG Rayees Mohammad Bhat stated that details on the foreign weapons used in the terror attack are still emerging. “It is premature to conclude the specifics, but automatic weapons and empty cartridges were found at the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts and our analysis, it appears there may have been two terrorists involved,” he said.

Security forces, including the Army and the State Disaster Response Force, have launched a massive cordon and search operation, using drones and helicopters to track down the perpetrators. Survivors of the attack are recording their statements.

The attack occurred when terrorists opened fire on a 53-seater bus traveling from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a gorge near Teryath village in Reasi district.

A terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi resulted in 10 deaths, including a two-year-old boy from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old from Uttar Pradesh. Forty-one others were injured, with 10 sustaining gunshot wounds.

Family members of the victims have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond strongly to Pakistan. Rajesh Kumar Mishra, father of injured Atul Kumar Mishra, stated, "My son and daughter-in-law were injured in the attack. I urge PM Modi to give a strong response to Pakistan to prevent such attacks in the future."

In the aftermath of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, Kirti Azad, brother-in-law of one of the deceased, called for strict action and urged the central and state governments to facilitate the return of the deceased. "Pawan Saini, who was injured, informed us about the attack. Sadly, his wife and two-year-old son have passed away," Azad said.

Rajesh Saini, brother of another injured person, received a distress call from the rescue team informing him about the attack. The incident, which occurred when terrorists opened fire on a vehicle, resulted in nine deaths and over 30 injuries.

Image source: India Today