In a dastardly attack, a group of suspected Pakistani terrorists targeted a pilgrim bus which resulted in a fatal incident leading to the killing of at least nine pilgrims while 33 others also received injuries on Sunday at 6.10  pm. The gruesome attack coincided with the oath ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was attended by heads of the neighbouring countries sans Pakistan.

The bus was returning from Shiv Khori shrine towards the Katra base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine when these terrorists hiding in the area opened indiscriminate firing on the pilgrim bus.

The injured have been rushed to the district hospital in Reasi and Katra-based Narayana hospital for advanced medical treatment.

SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma while sharing details of the horrific incident told reporters, "Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra. Due to the firing, the bus driver lost balance of the bus and it fell into a gorge. So far nine pilgrims succumbed to their fatal injuries and 33 people were injured in the incident". SSP Reasi said the rescue operations have been completed.

According to a statement of the Jammu and Kashmir police spokesman, a bus carrying pilgrim from Shiv Khori to Katra was targeted apparently by terrorists using firearms. With the help of local villagers, police evacuated all the passengers by 8.10 pm. SP Reasi supervised the evacuation and dispatched the injured to different hospitals. Eight deaths have been confirmed. The 33 injured have been referred to various hospitals. District headquarter hospital Reasi (13), CHC Treyath (5), GMC in Jammu (15).

A joint security force temporary operation Headquarters by Police, Army and CRPF have been set up at the site and a multidimensional operation has been launched to get at the attackers.

The identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet.

It appears they are from Uttar Pradesh, she added.  Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done, SSP told reporters.