The attackers who targeted the worshippers were dressed in army attire. Upon approaching the bus, the terrorists, who were waiting in ambush, immediately began shooting. This resulted in instant chaos among the passengers. Santosh Kumar, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, recounted that they had journeyed from Katra to Shivkhodi to pay homage to Bhole Baba.
After completing their visit in the afternoon, they were on their way back to Katra when, approximately thirty minutes after leaving Shivkhodi Dham, a terrorist in army uniform suddenly appeared in front of the bus and opened fire without warning. The driver was struck by a bullet, causing the bus to veer off course and crash into a ditch. The terrorists continued firing at the bus relentlessly, causing widespread panic and despair among the passengers.
The rescue operation eventually brought relief to the survivors. Santosh mentioned that he had initially visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and later planned a trip to Shivkhodi with other companions. Both he and his wife sustained injuries during the attack. Following the terrorist assault on a bus transporting pilgrims in Pouni, Reasi district, close to Rajouri in Jammu division, a state of alert has been declared in Rajouri.
Security forces have sealed off various forested areas in Kalakot subdivision and Budhal tehsil of the district, initiating an extensive search operation to eliminate any terrorists seeking refuge in these forests post-attack. As per military sources, the forests of Tarayath and Mogla in Kalakot, Rajori district, along with Kot Chadhwal in Budhal, adjoin Pouni in Reasi and have been previously identified as potential terrorist hideouts.
Kot Chadhwal, Narla, Bambal in Budhal, and Tarayath, Mogla Khwas in Kalakot are contiguous forest regions to Pouni, Shivkhodi in Reasi district, accessible within a short timeframe. Should the terrorists be acquainted with the forest routes, they could reach these Rajouri forests within one to one and a half hours and seek shelter in the natural caves within.
The ongoing search operation involves the SOG team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Indian Army's Para Commandos, and National Rifle Battalion soldiers. Security personnel have encircled the forested areas comprehensively and will commence a thorough search operation at daybreak on Monday. Drones and sniffer dogs will be utilized to aid in the search to locate and neutralize any terrorists present in the forests.
