Seven pilgrims, six of them women, were killed in a terror attack in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday night. The attack occurred around 8:30 pm when terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from the Amarnath shrine. At least 19 others were injured in one of the most devastating attacks on the Yatra in recent years.
The pilgrims were traveling back from the shrine, located in a narrow gorge about 50 km from Pahalgam, when the bus was targeted. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack as an assault on the region's values and traditions, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his anguish, condemning the attack and reaffirming India's resolve to stand strong against such acts of terror.
The bus involved in the attack was registered in Gujarat, and reports indicated that it had violated Yatra regulations by traveling after 7 pm, a time when buses are usually prohibited from using the highway for security reasons. The bus was also not part of the official Yatra convoy, meaning it was not provided the customary police protection.
The terrorists, whose exact number remains unclear, reportedly first attacked an armored police vehicle and then indiscriminately fired on the bus. Some passengers reported being caught off guard by the shooting, which occurred while they were sleeping. Prior to the bus attack, the same group had opened fire on a nearby security checkpoint.
Despite the heavy security provided for the Amarnath Yatra, which included a satellite tracking system and thousands of troops, the attack was a reminder of the continued risks faced by pilgrims. Security forces had been on high alert due to intelligence warnings, which had earlier indicated that terrorists might target the Yatra convoy to incite communal tensions.