Reasi terror attack: Police arrest 50 suspects, operations still underway in remote regions

Police in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir have detained 50 people in connection with a terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in the Reasi district.

The arrests came after police launched a comprehensive search operation, involving even far-flung Arnas and Mahore areas of the district. These areas were breeding grounds for terrorism in the late 1990s and the early 2000s.

Terrorists on Sunday (June 9) opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra from the Shiv Khori temple. Following the attack, the bus rolled down a gorge, resulting in the death of nine people.

Police said that 50 people were arrested following an intensive investigation.

"Significant leads have been uncovered, aiding in the identification and capture of those who may be potentially involved in orchestrating the attack. To ensure a comprehensive probe, search operations have been expanded to cover the far-flung areas of Arnas and Mahore," said a police spokesperson.

He added that the operations are still going on and those hiding in the remote regions will be apprehended soon.

"The law enforcement agencies are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in the area," the spokesperson added.

Terrorists have targeted four places in the UT's Jammu area over the last four days, resulting in the death of at least 10 people, including one soldier.

The attacks have been witnessed in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts.

In retaliation, the Indian security forces have launched massive search operations in several forest belts of the UT.

Earlier, police in Jammu and Kashmir issued sketches of four terrorists suspected of involvement in two attacks in Doda district.

(With inputs from agencies)