Photo Credit: ANI
NIA to probe Reasi terror Attach New Delhi: On Monday, officials from the Union Home Ministry announced the transfer of the investigation into the recent terror attack on a bus in Jammu and Kashmir to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The attack, which occurred on June 9th in Reasi district, resulted in the tragic deaths of nine people, including three women, and left 41 others injured. The bus, carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, was ambushed by terrorists and subsequently plunged into a deep gorge.
The decision to hand over the probe to the NIA came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted comprehensive reviews of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the arrangements for the upcoming annual Amarnath yatra. These reviews were prompted by the terror attack on the bus in Reasi district and other recent incidents across the Union Territory.
Officials indicated that the NIA commenced its investigation into the Reasi terror attack on June 15th, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency promptly filed a fresh First Information Report (FIR) to initiate a thorough inquiry into the incident, acknowledging its gravity. The attack coincided with a significant national event—the swearing-in ceremony of the Union Cabinet at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, adding urgency to the investigation.
Following the attack, a team from the NIA promptly visited the site to assist local law enforcement and assess the ground situation. The agency’s forensic experts also conducted a meticulous examination of the site, gathering crucial evidence pivotal to unraveling the motives behind the assault.
As India’s premier counter-terrorism agency, the NIA frequently collaborates with state police to handle complex and sensitive cases, including high-profile terror attacks. The agency’s involvement in the Reasi case is expected to strengthen the investigation, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of all available evidence.
The terrorists targeted the bus as it traveled from the Ransoo area of Reasi district, en route to Katra. Prompt rescue operations were initiated following the attack, swiftly evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
According to police reports, the bus, ferrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori cave shrine, came under attack in Teryath village, Pouni area of Reasi district, bordering Rajouri district, around 6:10 pm on June 9th.
