*PM, Ministers, others condemn dastardly act
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 10: Terrorists tonight killed seven Amarnath pilgrims from Gujarat, including six women, and injured 32 others as they struck at a bus in Kashmir’s Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2000.
The bus bearing the registration number GJ09Z 9976 was attacked at around 8.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to Jammu, police said.
Police said the bus was not a part of the yatra convoy which is being provided elaborate security.
The terrorists first attacked a bullet-proof bunker of the police at Botengoo, a police official said, adding it was retaliated. There were no injuries in this attack.
Thereafter the terrorists fired on a police picket near Khannabal, the police added.
When the police retaliated, the militants fled, firing indiscriminately in which the bus carrying the yatris got it.
Seven of the pilgrims were killed and 32 were injured, the police said.
The police and top Government sources said the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on the highway after 7 pm as the security cover is withdrawn after that.
It was the “irresponsible” act of the ill-fated bus driver and its passengers that exposed the Amarnath pilgrims to tonight’s terror attack in Kashmir in which seven were killed and 32 injured, according to top security officials.
The officials said the bus was neither registered with the Amarnath Shrine Board nor had it adhered to the security detail which is compulsory for the pilgrims in view of the terror threat.
Giving details on the basis of preliminary inquiries, the officials said that the people on board the bus bearing the Gujarat registration number GJ09Z 9976 had completed the yatra two days back and were in Srinagar since then, deviating from the Amarnath yatra route which goes to Jammu.
Also, despite the sensitive security situation prevailing in Kashmir, the bus was on its way to Jammu at night, which is not permissible as it exposes the vehicles to terror attacks, they said.
The bus came under terrorists’ fire near Khanabal in Anantnag district at around 8.20 pm, over one hour after the patrolling by the security forces on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway is wound up, the officials said.
All vehicles carrying Amarnath pilgrims are provided security cover when they move in a convoy but the security agencies had no information about movement of this particular bus, the officials said.
The normal timings for movement of vehicles from Pahalgam towards Jammu is in the forenoon as the authorities ensure that they leave Kashmir by 1 pm.
The officials said that in view of today’s incident, the security measures will be reviewed further.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accompanied by Works Minister Naeem Akhter visited the site of terror incident in Anantnag for on spot assessment of the situation. She also visited the hospital later and enquired condition of the injured.
Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba said seven pilgrims including six women have been killed in the attack.
Strongly condemning the attack, Mehbooba said security forces and police personnel will hunt down the accused and take stern action against them.
“I have no words to condemn this. Hope those involved will be arrested and punished soon,” she added.
“Whether there were any lapses in security, which delayed movement of the bus, will be probed,” she said.
Mehbooba said there had been reports that the vehicle had developed mechanical fault and was left behind while other vehicles had moved ahead.
She said those involved in the terror attack have defamed Kashmiris and the Muslims.
“Our heads hang in the shame with such an incident,” she lamented.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was personally monitoring the situation, strongly condemned the dastardly attack and asserted that India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and evil designs of hate.
He said he spoke to Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Vohra and Mehbooba.
“Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amanrnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone,” Modi tweeted.
“My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured,” he added.
In yet another tweet, the Prime Minister said, “India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks & the evil designs of hate.”
The Home Minister, in his telephonic call to Vohra and Mehbooba, sought details of the attack. He told them to ensure that the injured people are given adequate medical treatment.
He also directed officials to ensure foolproof security in future.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley termed the attack as the “most reprehensible act” and said “This incident should add to our determination to eliminate terrorism.”
The last time the Amarnath yatra was targeted was on August 1, 2000. The terrorists had then struck in Pahalgam area, killing 30 people, who also included porters.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has termed the attack on Amarnath pilgrims as “a crime against humanity” and called for decisive action against its perpetrators.
Gandhi said the government should order a thorough probe into any security lapses.
She expressed deep shock over the death of seven pilgrims in the militant attack that took place around 8.20 pm in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and asked the government to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
“The attack on the devotees of Lord Shiva is a crime against humanity. The entire nation is in shock,” she said in a statement.
The government should ensure the safety of the pilgrims, she said.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said India will never be intimidated by “these terrorist cowards”.
“I share the pain & anguish of families who lost loved ones in the terror attack on innocent Amarnath Yatris today,” he tweeted.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh has described attack on Shri Amarnath Ji yatra pilgrims as an “assault on composite culture of Kashmir’’.
In a tweet tonight, Dr Jitendra Singh said: “an assault on composite culture of Kashmir and indeed on India’s traditionally resilient civilization’’.
“Are apologists listening?’’ he questioned.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad described attack on Amarnath pilgrims as an “unislamic act, which is against the tenets of Islam’’.
He said the attack has brought bad name to Kashmir, Kashmiriyat and Muslim fraternity.
“Residents of Kashmir are peace loving and not involved in such acts, which are highly condemnable,’’ Azad said.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah tweeted:“ every right thinking Kashmiri must today condemn the killing of Amarnath yatris and say, unequivocally—this is #NotInMyName’’.
“These terrorists are the enemies of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. No two ways about that,’’ Omar said, adding “the attack can’t be condemned strongly enough. My sympathies to the families and prayers for the injured’’.
Omar appealed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to instruct all State Governments and other authorities to be extra vigilant in colleges and Universities, where Kashmiris study as also where people from Kashmir are residing for reasons of trade/livelihood.
List of dead
Surakha Ben R/o Udwada RS Near Bhagini Samaj School District Valsad Gujarat, Patal Lakshimiben S R/o Valsad District Valsad Gujarat, Hasuben Ratila Patal R/o Vadoli School Faliya, Valsad Gujarat, Thakor Nirmala Ben W/o Bharat Thakor R/o Dhanu District Palghar Maharashtra, Usha Mohanla Sonkar W/o Mohan Moti Ram Sonkar R/o Danu District Valgad Maharastra, Ratan Zeena Bhai Patal S/o Zina Bhai R/o Daman Kunta District Daman Gujarat and Praja Pati Champaben W/o Raman Bhai R/o Gandevi District Navsari Gujarat
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