On June 9th, a terrorist attack in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, targeted a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, resulting in nine deaths and numerous injuries. The investigation has since uncovered the involvement of a local resident, Hakam Din, who provided logistical support to the terrorists for a meager payment of Rs 5,000.
Attack Details and Initial Investigation
The tragic incident occurred when terrorists opened fire on a 53-seater bus en route from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. The driver was targeted first, causing the bus to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge. The aftermath left nine pilgrims dead and 41 injured. This attack was followed by two additional terror strikes in Kathua and Doda, escalating the region’s security concerns.
Arrest and Interrogation of Hakam Din
Hakam Din, a 45-year-old cattle trader from Rajouri district, was arrested on June 20th. Previously, he worked as a porter at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine but switched to cattle trading three years ago. Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma identified Hakam as a “prime militant associate” before the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
During his interrogation, Hakam revealed crucial details about his interactions with the terrorists. According to an unnamed source quoted by the Indian Express, Hakam first encountered the terrorists on June 1st. They arrived at his home around 5:30 PM, requesting food for three people, one of whom was addressed as ‘Manzoor bhai’. The terrorists asked Hakam to deliver the food to their forest hideout.
Reconnaissance and Planning
On June 7th, the terrorists returned to Hakam’s house and took him along for a reconnaissance mission to Pouni, the site of the future attack. They spent three and a half hours in the area, selecting strategic locations and identifying a road slope where the bus would likely slow down. The terrorists marked these locations before departing and inquired about the movement of tourist buses.
The following day, the terrorists visited Hakam’s home again for tea, discussing the details of their planned attack. On June 9th, they executed their plan, targeting the driver of the pilgrims’ bus and continuing to fire even after the bus lost control and plunged into a gorge.
Post-Attack Developments
After the attack, the terrorists paid Hakam Rs 5,000 and requested his assistance in escaping the area. They also took his Aadhaar card. Based on Hakam’s descriptions, investigation agencies prepared sketches of two additional suspects and shared them with central agencies. It is believed that the terrorists infiltrated from across the Line of Control and are still hiding in the dense forests.
Ongoing Investigation and NIA’s Role
In the wake of the attack, the NIA took over the investigation on June 15th. By July 9th, the NIA had confirmed the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based banned terrorist group. Hakam Din’s interrogation provided significant insights into LeT’s role in the attack.
Following the Reasi attack, security forces detained 50 individuals in connection with the incident. Search operations were extended to the Arnas and Mahore areas to uncover further evidence and apprehend any remaining terrorists.
The tragic events of June 9th have underscored the ongoing threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between local and national security agencies.
