'Masked terrorist fired from AK-47...': Survivors describe attack on pilgrims' bus in J-K's Reasi

NEW DELHI: As a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached Reasi in Jammu-Kashmir to assist the agencies probing the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims, survivors recounted scenes of horror while giving details of the incident that left 10 people dead and more than 30 injured.
The bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge after being ambushed by at least two terrorists near Teryath village at around 6pm on Sunday.
The bus was returning from Shiv Khori cave shrine to Katra. It was travelling on a link road of NH-144A, winding through thick forests and mountainous terrain.
Santosh (30), who survived the attack and is currently undergoing treatment in Reasi, said that a masked terrorist in combat fatigue stood in the middle of the road and fired indiscriminately. “I could hear intermittent gunshots when the bus was rolling down the mountainside,” he said.
One other survivor said that bus was barraged with 25 to 30 shots before it plunged down the gorge.
“Prima facie, it appears that the terrorists were waiting for the bus,” Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma said.
“The driver was hit by gunfire and lost control of the vehicle,” the officer said, noting that bullet shells were found at the scene. The injured have been taken to hospitals in Teryath, Reasi, and Jammu.
Nine people, including four from Rajasthan and three from Uttar Pradesh, were identified as the victims of the deadly terror attack.
In response to the incident, a large-scale search operation has been initiated to locate and apprehend the terrorists responsible for the attack.
(With inputs from agencies)