On Sunday, June 9, 2024, a bus ferrying Hindu pilgrims in the Jammu province of Kashmir was subjected to an attack, currently under investigation by Indian authorities. The bus was allegedly fired upon by suspected militants, causing it to veer off course and plunge into a deep ravine, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 33 injuries. The bus was en route to the revered Hindu site of Mata Vaishno Devi temple when it was attacked in the Reasi district.
An anonymous police officer reported that several of the victims were injured by gunshots, attributing the assault to Muslim militants who oppose Indian rule in Kashmir. As of now, no group has taken responsibility for the attack.
This incident underlines the ongoing conflict in the region, with rebel factions battling since 1989 for either independence for Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, including civilians, militants, and government forces.
In the wake of the attack, local residents and police teams collaborated in the rescue operation, quickly moving the injured to the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu for medical aid. Videos circulating on the internet showed casualties lying on the rocky terrain adjacent to the highway, a stark depiction of the gruesome attack.
Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir announced a compensation package of $11,975 for the bereaved families and $600 for those injured in the attack. Federal Minister Amit Shah assured that the attackers would be brought to justice. “The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law,” Shah stated on social media platform X.
Both India and Pakistan, who are nuclear-armed nations, administer parts of Kashmir while claiming the entire territory. India alleges that Pakistan sponsors terrorism in Kashmir, an accusation that Pakistan refutes, portraying the conflict as a legitimate fight for freedom supported by the majority of Muslim Kashmiris.
Security forces, including a team from the National Investigation Agency, have been dispatched to the location to identify the culprits. In light of the incident, the Indian government has stepped up security measures in the region to deter further attacks and ensure the safety of pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was sworn in for his third consecutive term just hours before the attack, expressed his grief over the incident and instructed that the injured receive the best possible medical care. “I am anguished by the loss of lives in this tragic incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Modi expressed.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, characterized the attack as “saddening” and “shameful” and pointed out the “worrying security situation” in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for bolstered security measures to safeguard civilians and pilgrims in the region.
The dispute over Kashmir, which has resulted in multiple wars between India and Pakistan, remains one of the most enduring and deadly conflicts globally. Despite the international community’s continued appeals for a peaceful resolution, tension persists in the region, worsened by incidents such as this fatal bus attack.
