A joint security force temporary HQ of J&K Police, Army and CRPF has been set up at the site of yesterday’s terrorist attack at a bus in which 9 pilgrims and locals were killed. The massive operation is in progress to neutralise the perpetrators of the terror attack, said Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday.
The Lieutenant Governor has approved an ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh each for the next of kin of pilgrims martyred in the terror attack. He has also approved Rs. 50,000 each for those injured. The injured are being treated at different hospitals. A control room has been created by the district administration to provide all necessary assistance.
Lieutenant Governor today met the pilgrims injured in the terror attack who are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College, Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super-Speciality Hospital, Katra. He posted on X: “Met the injured pilgrims at Government Medical College, Jammu & Narayana Hospital, Katra and wished them a speedy recovery. The entire nation stands firmly with the families of martyred pilgrims in this hour of grief”. The team of doctors briefed the Lt Governor on the health condition of the injured and the medical facilities being extended to them.
Meanwhile, a bandh was observed in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar against the terror attack. Beopar Mandal Bhadarwah and Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SSDS) called for a bandh. The call received widespread support, with shops and businesses shutting down in a display of solidarity with the victims.
Religious leaders echoed these sentiments. Hafeez Khateeb, President of Anjumane Islamia Bhadarwah, condemned the attack, emphasizing that such acts of violence target innocent civilians regardless of religion. He urged authorities to take decisive steps against terrorism. Naseer Mehboob Paddar, President of Beopar Mandal Bhadarwah, called the attack a desperate attempt to disturb the peace in the region. He vowed that the community wouldn’t let such efforts succeed.this unified response from Bhadarwah sends a powerful message of peace and resilience in the face of violence.
Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) Kishtwar, a prominent socio-religious organization, called for a bandh in Kishtwar town today to protest the heinous act. SDS President, Surinder Sen, appealed to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to deploy additional security personnel to ensure the safety of pilgrims visiting religious sites in the region.
Adding to the chorus of condemnation, Imam Farooq Kichloo of the Jamia Masjid in Kishtwar also strongly condemned the attack. He emphasized that pilgrims visiting holy sites like Shiv Khori deserve peace and security. Imam Kichloo urged authorities to take strict legal action against those responsible for the attack.
In a meeting of Office Bearers of Chamber of Commerce & Industry held today at Chamber House, Arun Gupta, President CCI strongly condemned the cowardice terrorism act of firing by terrorists on a pilgrims bus returning from the holy cave of Shiv Khori in which 9 persons including the Driver and Conductor of the bus lost their lives besides 33 persons were injured.
Arun Gupta urged the LG Administration that keeping in view the Amarnath Yatra, Budha Amarnath Yatra and Machail Yatra the security and other agencies should be strengthened to avoid any such type of incidents during the upcoming yatras.