Kumar Siddhartha, Pune
On Friday, 27th September the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in connection with the terror attack on the bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple in June.
These investigations were part of an ongoing NIA inquiry into the attack which took place on June 9 2024, killing nine persons, including seven pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists opened fire on the bus, which caused the bus to track off the road and fall into a deep gorge, causing injury to 41 people, near Teryath village in the Pouni area of Reasi district. The bus was en-route from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra when the attack happened.
The driver was injured in the attack that led to him losing control of the vehicle. So far, fifty have been arrested as authorities suspected of involvement in the attack, officials said.
A two-year-old from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh became the victims of the attack. The case was transferred to the NIA by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on June 17 considering the gravity of the terror attack.
The NIA is to continue the search operation at seven locations across Jammu and Kashmir, more so in Rajouri and Reasi districts. The officials have stated that several teams have been carrying out these searches, and the operation is still ongoing. Details about the findings are yet to be released.
Till now, one person, Hakam Khan from Rajouri, has been arrested for allegedly being in contact with perpetrators of the case. According to reports, Khan had allegedly offered food, lodging, as well as logistical facilitation to the terrorists who had carried out the attack. He is believed to have helped them scout the place before the incident and assisted in planning the assault on the bus.
The NIA had earlier conducted searches on June 30 at five places connected to hybrid terrorists and their overground workers in Rajouri as part of its larger effort to dismantle terror networks functioning in the region. The agency is still following up on leads and operating with a view to unfolding the entire conspiracy behind the Shiv Khori terror attack.