J&K Police detain 50 suspects in connection with deadly pilgrim bus attack

JAMMU — In a big step towards cracking the militant attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra in Reasi district, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has detained over 50 suspects in and around the attack site and are being put through questioning.

These suspects have been picked in connection with giving shelter and other support to the militants who are behind the attack and left without getting caught.

Confirming the detention, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma told the news agency KNO, “Yes, we have detained 50-odd people in connection with the attack who live in different villages of the area and are being questioned.”

On June 9 evening, a group of militants opened fire on a bus near Pouni area carrying pilgrims back to Katra from Shiv Khori after paying obeisance in which nine people lost their lives and 33 others got injured. The driver and conductor of the bus were among the killed.

Since the attack, three more militancy incidents were witnessed in Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu region in which two militants and a CRPF man were killed whereas eight others got injured including two policemen.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched a massive manhunt in the upper reaches of Bhaderwah and Gandoh where in the last two days, militants opened fire on security forces and injured five soldiers and two policemen.

The joint search operations of the Army and Special Operation Group (SOG) of J&K Police were launched in Chattergala and upper reaches of Tanta Draman in Gandoh area and technology is also being used to trace the militants who fled after launching the attacks.