Srinagar: New Delhi: In a dastardly act, seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were killed and several injured on Monday evening by Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists as they fired at a bus near Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Five pilgrims who were killed belonged to Gujarat while two were from Maharashtra. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held a security review meeting with intelligence officials. The details were brief to PM Narendra Modi by NSA Ajit Doval. The attack was condemned by all quarters with most of them demanding a strong action by the Centre. The bodies of the deceased were being brought to their respective home towns to perform their final rites.


LATEST UPDATES:

The bus carrying the Amarnath pilgrims was attacked twice in quick succession by two teams
of terrorists, who escaped after spraying bullets from automatic rifles, says JK govt.













  • NSA Ajit Doval briefs details of MHA meeting to PM Modi.

  • SOURCES: The attack was carried out by collaboration of two terrorists groups Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Terrorist Ismail, from Pakistan, is likely to have masterminded the attack. Lashkar considers him as an asset. With him there were two more Pakistani terrorists and two local aides. All the local support came from the Hizbul cadres including the logistical support. The terrorists wanted to barge into the bus while they opened indiscriminate firing to create maximum casualties. It is said that they conducted a 3-day recce by disguising as shepherds around the area. They were looking out specifically for the busses that come out the ring of the security cordon.

  • Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu condemns attack, assures action against the culprits. He said, "we wouldn't spare the the terrorists". He further added saying that the victims didn't register their pilgrimage, which shouldn't have been done as the area isn't safe



  • Delhi Police special cell issues advisory to put proper anti-terror arrangements in place at places of high footfall and for Kanwar Yatra



  • Attack on Amaranth yatra pilgrims carried out by LeT, masterminded by Pakistan terrorist Ismail says IG Kashmir Muneer Khan



  • Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti calls a cabinet meeting to discuss further action


As per official sources, most of the victims belonged to Maharashtra and Gujarat.

As an aftermath of the attack, the security has been beefed up in the whole country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat and the states have been put on high alert.

In the wake of the Amarnath attack, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting with his senior officials to check the security arrangements made for Kavar yatra.

The attack was also condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said, “Coward attacks and attempt to spread hatred wouldn’t bow down the nation”.

PM’s spirit could be seen as a reflection of the zeal and passion of the pilgrims as the pilgrimage went undisrupted even after the terror attack.

In fact, more than 3000 pilgrims left for Amarnath after the terror attack.

To take a stock of the situation, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister visited the hospital in Anantnag to meet to attack victims and their families.

Speaking on the attack, Mufti said “will ensure strictest action against the police officials involved”. “This is a shameful attack of highest order and don’t have words to condemn it” she added.

She further added saying, “The culprits have stained the reputation of Kashmir and of Muslims by committing such an act”.

Even Defence Minister Arun Jiatley condemned the terror attack saying, "Terrorist attack on Amarnath yatra is the most reprehensible act".