An NIA team has arrived in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district to assist local police in investigating the terror attack on a passenger bus that resulted in nine deaths and multiple injuries, officials reported on Monday.
Concurrently, security forces have initiated an extensive cordon and search operation to apprehend the terrorists involved.
The attack occurred when terrorists fired at a 53-seater bus traveling from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to crash into a deep gorge near Teryath village in the Poni area on Sunday.
The bus was carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Among the dead were a two-year-old boy from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old from Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, 41 individuals aged between three and 50 were injured, with 10 sustaining gunshot wounds.
In response, Bollywood celebrities such as Kangana Ranaut, Rashmika Mandanna, Varun Dhawan, Uorfi Javed, and Anupam Kher expressed their condolences on social media. They condemned the attack and extended their prayers and support to the victims and their families, urging unity and strength during this tragic time.
The phrase "All Eyes on Reasi" has gained traction on social media, similar to the recent "All Eyes on Rafah" trend following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. This Indian trend underscores the national focus on Reasi due to the attack.
Kangana Ranaut condemned the attack on Instagram, highlighting the targeting of Hindus. Rashmika Mandanna shared her sorrow for the loss of innocent lives and wished for the injured's recovery.
Varun Dhawan called the attack horrific and cowardly, while Uorfi Javed questioned the religious justification for such violence. Anupam Kher expressed his grief and anger, calling for strength for the victims' families and a swift recovery for the injured.
The widespread condemnation emphasizes the call for national unity and resilience against such acts of violence. The government and security forces are actively working to investigate the incident, aiming to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further violence against civilians.