Srinagar: On June 9th, terrorists attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of nine pilgrims and injuries to several others. During the investigation, it was discovered that Hakam Din, a 45-year-old local resident, provided logistical support to the terrorists from Pakistan after the attack in exchange for Rs 5,000.
The investigation agencies, based on information provided by Hakam Din, have prepared sketches of two more terrorists involved in the attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has transferred the investigation from Jammu and Kashmir police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Hakam Din, a resident of Rajouri district, was arrested on June 20th. Previously a porter at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Hakam left the job three years ago and became a cattle trader. Before the case was handed over to the NIA, Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma described Hakam as a “prime militant associate.”
During his interrogation by multiple agencies, Hakam revealed critical details about the terrorists' activities. According to a source quoted by the Indian Express, Hakam claimed he first encountered the terrorists on June 1st when they arrived at his home, requesting food. One of the terrorists was referred to as ‘Manzoor bhai.’ They asked Hakam to deliver food to their forest hideout. Hakam disclosed that the terrorists belonged to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
On June 7th, the terrorists again visited Hakam's house, this time asking him to accompany them for reconnaissance in Pouni, the attack location. They spent about three and a half hours scouting strategic spots along the road where the bus would slow down. The following day, they discussed the attack over tea at Hakam's house. On June 9th, they executed their plan, targeting a bus carrying pilgrims. They first shot the driver, causing the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a gorge.
After the attack, the terrorists paid Hakam Rs 5,000 and sought his assistance in escaping, even taking his Aadhaar card. The descriptions provided by Hakam enabled the preparation of new sketches of the attackers, which have been shared with central investigation agencies. It is suspected that the terrorists infiltrated from across the Line of Control and are hiding in the dense forests.
The attack on June 9th resulted in nine deaths and 41 injuries as 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 gorge. This attack was followed by two other terror incidents in the valley: the Kathua and Doda attacks.
On June 13th, 50 individuals were detained in connection with the Reasi attack. The search operations were extended to Arnas and Mahore to gather more evidence and apprehend any hiding terrorists. The NIA officially took over the investigation on June 15th, following orders from the Union Home Ministry.
By July 9th, the NIA had confirmed the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the ambush, based on the interrogation of Hakam Din. The agency continues to investigate the case to bring all perpetrators to justice.
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