Unidentified miscreants pelted stones on a private school bus at Zavoora village in Shopian in South Kashmir on Wednesday morning injuring two Class II students, triggering widespread condemnation in the Valley.
Police have launched a manhunt to arrest stone pelters who targeted students of Rainbow International School.
“Shocked & angered to hear of the attack on a school bus in Shopian. The perpetrators of this senseless & cowardly act will be brought to justice,” tweeted Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
SSP Shopian Shalender Kumar Mishra said two injured students were taken to a nearby hospital with a seriously injured student namely Rehan Gorsai being referred to Srinagar.
Expressing anguish over the incident, State Congress vice-president Mohammad Anwar Bhat said the cowardly act is aimed at creating a fear psychosis among school-going children.
“Authorities must ensure the safety of people especially school-going children,” he said.
There was no shutdown call by separatists in the area.
The situation in the restive belt further worsened after
security forces locked horns with terrorists in Turkawangam village, around 45 kilometres from here.
Meanwhile, at least four youngsters were wounded during clashes near the gunfight site at Turkiwanagam Zainapora area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday. At least two to three terrorists are believed to be holed up in the area. One among two injured youths is reported to have suffered grievous injuries.
The gunfight raged between terrorists and security forces in the village following the launch of counter terrorist operation in the area.