An assault on a bus carrying Hindu devotees in the Jammu province of Kashmir, India on Sunday, June 9, 2024 is currently under investigation by Indian authorities. The bus, which was hit by gunfire from suspected militants, swerved off the road and fell into a deep ravine, leading to at least nine fatalities and 33 injuries. The bus was on its way to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination, when it was assaulted in the Reasi district.
An unidentified police officer verified that some of the casualties suffered gunshot wounds, attributing the assault to Muslim militants who oppose Indian rule in Kashmir. While no group has yet taken responsibility, the incident sheds light on the continuing strife in the region. Since 1989, rebel factions have been advocating for Kashmir’s independence or its unification with Pakistan. The conflict has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, militants, and government troops.
In the wake of the assault, local residents and police personnel collaborated to rescue the injured and transport them to the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu for medical attention. Footage shared online revealed bodies strewn along the rocky incline next to the highway, emphasizing the gruesome nature of the attack.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha announced a compensation of $11,975 for the relatives of the deceased and $600 for those injured. Federal Minister Amit Shah vowed severe consequences for the attackers. “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.
India and Pakistan, both equipped with nuclear weapons, govern parts of Kashmir but each contends for the full territory. India accuses Pakistan of endorsing terrorism in Kashmir, a claim Pakistan refutes, framing the conflict as a valid quest for freedom supported by the majority of Muslim Kashmiris.
Security forces, including a unit from the National Investigation Agency, have been deployed to the location to apprehend the culprits. The Indian government has increased security protocols in the region to curb further attacks and safeguard pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been sworn in for his third consecutive term just hours before the attack, expressed his sympathy and ordered the provision of the best possible medical care for the injured. “I am anguished by the loss of lives in this tragic incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Modi said.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, termed the attack as “saddening” and “shameful,” emphasizing the “worrying security situation” in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for improved security protocols to safeguard civilians and pilgrims in the region.
The dispute in Kashmir remains one of the world’s longest-running and deadliest. Both India and Pakistan have fought several wars over the territory, with sporadic outbreaks of violence. The international community continues to urge both nations toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but tensions persist, aggravated by incidents like the recent bus attack.