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While Lashkar-backed TRF took responsibility of the Reasi attack, it later deleted its post saying the same.
(Image: News18)
On Sunday, The Resistance Front (TRF)-affiliated Jhelum Media Group claimed responsibility of the attack on yatris. However, they deleted the post from the website soon after.
The Pakistan establishment is upset with terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad following the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi, top police sources have told CNN-News18. On Sunday, The Resistance Front (TRF)-affiliated Jhelum Media Group claimed responsibility of the attack on yatris. However, they deleted the post from the website soon after.
Later, JeM affiliated People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) posted a note on their website that this was a ghastly act and that they condemn it. The PAFF also added that they don’t support attack on civilians and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of being behind it.
According to top sources, the Pakistan establishment is unhappy with the move at a time when they are struggling for finances and the fear of going back into the grey list is on their head.
At least nine people were killed and 33 were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Sunday following a terrorist attack. The bus was going from Shiv Khori Temple towards Vaishno Devi temple.
Earlier, CNN-News18 had reported that the attack was a desperate attempt by TRF to prove their presence in the field. CNN-News18 also reported that Shiv Khori temple was already under the radar and Jammu and Kashmir Police issued an intelligence alert on this.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Reasi terror attack was a desperate attempt to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said that a terror attack on yatris and pilgrims was never seen, but the kind of attacks happening these days suggest these are desperate attempts by terror group to show strength and get support from the other side of border.
According to sources, due to strong vigil on borders, terrorists failed in infiltration attempts.
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has been dispatched to help local authorities investigate Sunday’s terror attack. A search operation is now underway in the area. Security forces are using drones in the area to find the terrorists who carried out the attack. Forces have been dispatched from various locations to reinforce security measures.
A CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to the Reasi terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir has also emerged.
Meanwhile, sources said the driver of the bus carrying pilgrims showed remarkable courage, and tried to save the pilgrims by turning the bus, even after being hit by bullets. Despite being targeted by gunfire while traveling through Teryath village, the driver tried to steer the bus to safety. He succumbed to the bullets, leading the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge.