On Sunday, June 9, 2024, a bus transporting Hindu pilgrims in Jammu province, Kashmir, was fired upon and attacked, prompting an ongoing investigation by Indian authorities.
The bus, which was headed to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple—an important Hindu pilgrimage site—fell under assault in the Reasi district.
The incident, suspected to be the work of militants, led to the bus careening off the road and plunging into a deep ravine, resulting in a death toll of nine and leaving 33 others injured.
An anonymous police officer confirmed that several victims suffered gunshot wounds, attributing the assault to Muslim militants against the Indian rule in Kashmir. While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the incident underscores the enduring strife in the region.
Since 1989, rebel groups have been vying for Kashmir’s independence or its merger with Pakistan, leading to a conflict that has taken tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, militants, and government forces.
In the wake of the attack, locals and police units cooperated to rescue the injured and transport them to the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu for medical care. Videos circulating on the internet depicted bodies strewn on the rocky incline next to the highway, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir announced monetary compensation of $11,975 for the families of those who lost their lives and $600 for those injured. Federal minister Amit Shah vowed that the assailants would face stern repercussions. “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, nations equipped with nuclear weapons, administer portions of Kashmir, but each claims the entire territory. India charges Pakistan with sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, an accusation Pakistan refutes, characterizing the conflict as a legitimate fight for freedom supported by the majority of Muslim Kashmiris.
In response to the assault, security forces, including a team from the National Investigation Agency, have been deployed to the location to apprehend the culprits. The Indian government has heightened security efforts in the region to thwart additional attacks and safeguard pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had just been sworn in for his third consecutive term hours before the attack, expressed his condolences and ensured that the injured would receive the best possible medical attention. “I am anguished by the loss of lives in this tragic incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Modi said.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, referred to the attack as “saddening” and “shameful,” emphasizing the “worrying security situation” in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for improved security measures to shield civilians and pilgrims in the region.
The dispute over Kashmir ranks as one of the longest-standing and most lethal conflicts globally. Both India and Pakistan have fought several wars over the territory, with recurring bouts of violence. Despite international calls for both countries to resolve the conflict peacefully, tensions continue to escalate, intensified by incidents like the recent bus attack.
