Three Pakistani terrorists involved in the recent attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district were linked to a previous ambush of an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Poonch on May 4, according to sources. These terrorists targeted the bus on June 9, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 33 others.Â
The attackers, trained in jungle warfare and equipped with US-made M4 carbines, reportedly traveled through the jungles following the Poonch attack before carrying out the bus attack. They are capable of surviving in natural caves for extended periods, making them elusive targets for security forces.
Following the bus attack, a massive manhunt was launched. Security forces from three districts—Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch—are actively involved in the search operation, with five teams from Reasi working to track down the perpetrators.
Initially, The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit, claimed responsibility for the attack but later retracted the statement.
In response to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the injured in hospitals in Jammu and Reasi and chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation. He announced financial aid of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the attack.
