Amarnath Yatra Attack: Lashkar-e-Taiba militants behind killing of pilgrims

Political leaders across party lines have reacted to the attack, condemning the actions of the perpetrators.

Monday evening’s attack in the southern district of Anantnag is the deadliest against Hindu pilgrims in the majority-Muslim region since 2000, and comes amid heightened religious tensions across northern India and another summer of violence in Kashmir. All the dead belonged to Gujarat. “Troops of 90 Bn & 40 battalion of the CRPF were rushed to the spot”, said a senior CRPF official, according to news agency, PTI.

SDS Jamwal, inspector general of police in Jammu, said no decision has been taken yet to suspend the yatra from Jammu. “I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of J&K and assured all possible assistance required”.

The ill-fated pilgrims had performed the yatra and had boarded the bus at north Kashmir’s Baltal base camp.

Amarnath pilgrims have been attacked in the past as well in spite of tight security. “5556 pilgrims, who left Chandanwari this morning, would need to halt en-route and reach the Shrine the next day”, the spokesman said.

Twelve pilgrims were wounded in the fighting triggered after the militants attacked a police bunker and another police party at a checkpoint.

According to reports, the official convoy of Amarnath Yatra passed the area at 7 p.m. whereas this bus, carrying 56 pilgrims, was attacked around 8:20 p.m.

Condemning the attack, Defence Minister called it the “most reprehensible act”.

The security apparatus will, of course, now move into a higher gear to hunt down the specific militants involved in this terror attack and bring them to justice.

Seven Hindu pilgrims, six of them women, have been killed in a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir after their bus apparently got caught in crossfire.

“This barbarity and atrocity is trademark of Indian forces”.

In a bizzare and oulandish allegation Ghaznavi alleged, “Ajit Doval is frustrated due to his failed policies, therefore he has turned to such dastardly acts”.

“The government of India and the state government have miserably failed to maintain law and order and control militancy in the state”, he added.