Srinagar: On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi witnessed a horrifying incident, where a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists. In the incident, 10 people were killed while several others were injured and were rushed to the hospital.

Recalling the incident, Atul Mishra, a survivor said that the terrorists opened fire suddenly, causing passengers to duck down to prevent themselves. He added that the bus then fell into a gorge.

He said, “We were on our way to Katra and suddenly terrorists started firing. We ducked down to prevent ourselves. The bus fell into the gorge. We don’t know what happened afterwards.”

While, another survivor said, "I went for darshan of Shiv Khori. While returning, some people opened fire on our bus. Later, the bus fell into a ditch. Several people were injured in the incident. The firing did not stop even after the bus fell. I think there were 2-3 (terrorists) there. My son saw a man firing on our bus from behind," as quoted by ANI.

Another injured victim at the hospital said, "After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot and then some people were also injured in the firing..."

Following this incident, the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh for the kin of pilgrims martyred in the terror attack, while the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

"An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to be given to the next of kin of pilgrims martyred in Reasi terror attack. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. The injured pilgrims are being treated at different hospitals in Jammu & Reasi," the tweet by Office of LG J&K read.

NIA Carries Out Parallel Probe

After the incident, a massive cordon and search operation is underway to track down the terrorists responsible. Furthermore, two NIA teams have launched a parallel probe into the attack.

One of the teams has already reached the district and is coordinating with local police probing the attack, while the other team is expected to reach the spot by afternoon.  

This comes as the security forces, including the Army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have laid a multi-dimensional cordon of the Teryath-Poni-Shiv Khori area bordering Rajouri district, they said Armed with surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, a massive combing operation has begun in the area and adjoining areas of the district, news agency PTI quoted the officials as saying.