Terror attack on Pilgrims’ bus: NIA conducts search in Rajouri district.

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

SHYAM SOOD 

RAJOURI JUNE 30:–The National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigating June 9 terrorist attack on a pilgrims bus in Reasi district, in which 9 people including 7 pilgrims were killed, on Sunday conducted searches at 5 locations in Bandhrai village.
Terrorists had opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra on the evening of 9th June in Pouni area of Reasi district, causing the bus to fall into a nearby gorge, killing nine people, including a 2-years-old boy.
The Ministry of Home Affairs handed over the Reasi bus terror attack probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 15 and NIA registered a case No.RC-02/2024/NIA/JMU and started investigation.
During initial investigation Reasi police cracked the nexus between terrorists and local hardcore Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who provided logistics to the perpetrators of bus attack, an arrested one Hakim Khan @ Hakim Din along with his wife & son from Bandrahi village in Sunderbani area of Rajouri district.
Arrest of Hakim Din was a major breakthrough in the case pertaining to the terrorist attack on the pilgrim bus” said SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma adding that he was a prime terror associate who helped the terrorists in the execution of the attack.
NIA, which took over the investigation on 15th June on orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, searched five locations linked with hybrid terrorists and Overground Workers (OGWs) including arrested Hakim Din.
“The locations were pointed out by Hakam Khan @ Hakin din. Hakam had provided them with safe shelter, logistics and food, as per NIA investigations,” said NIA.
The searches led to the seizure of various items showing linkages no between the terrorists and OGWs and NIA has started examining the seized material to unravel the terror conspiracy.
It is pertinent to mention here that Hakim Din during sustained interrogation had revealed that three Pakistani (unidentified) terrorists were involved on the bus attack, and he had provided food shelter to them one day ahead of the attack and also accompanied them to the identified spot (attack on the bus) and their safe journey towards Rajouri district after the attack.