UP CM Yogi Adityanath condemns 'cowardly attack' on pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir

Yogi Adityanath. Pic/AFP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday termed the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir as a "cowardly attack".

"The cowardly attack on pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely sad. My heartfelt condolences to the departed souls. My sympathies are with the grieving families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at his holy feet and provide speedy recovery to all the injured," Adityanath posted on X in Hindi.

In another post on X, the chief minister said, "Instructions have been given to the Additional Chief Secretary Home and Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh to immediately contact the local administration and ensure proper treatment and safety of the injured in the state."

Terrorists opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Sunday evening, killing nine people and injuring 33.

The 53-seater bus, en route from Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following the gunfire and fell into a deep gorge. The incident took place around 6.10 pm near Teryath village in Poni area.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also condemned the attack.

"The terrorist attack on a bus full of devotees going to Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely cowardly and condemnable. I pray to God that the injured in the incident recover as soon as possible and that the departed souls find a place at his holy feet. Om Shanti," Maurya posted on X in Hindi.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the terrorist attack on a bus in Reasi district was part of a nefarious design to spread turmoil in Jammu region, and asserted that such an attempt would be thwarted, reported PTI.

"An unfortunate incident had happened yesterday evening when terrorists targeted the driver of a bus as a result of which he lost control and the vehicle plunged into a gorge resulting in the death of nine persons. A joint operation by police, CRPF and Army is underway to punish those responsible for the incident," the Lt Governor told reporters at the Government Medical College here after meeting 18 of the injured admitted to the facility.

He said Director General of Police R R Swain along with his team is on the spot supervising the anti-terror operation.

"Our immediate priority is saving the lives of those injured. We know there is no compensation for loss of life but to help the families, the administration has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each for the injured," Sinha said.

The Lt Governor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah are keeping a close watch on the situation and spoke to him immediately after the attack.

"Those responsible will not be spared. The attack is part of a nefarious design to somehow spread turmoil to Jammu region but we are determined to thwart such an attempt," Sinha said.

The Lt governor said he will also visit Narayan hospital in Katra area of Reasi district to enquire about the welfare of 14 other injured persons admitted there.

(With inputs from PTI)