JAMMU: Police are closing in on suspects, including a terror associate who aided four Pakistani terrorists in executing the attack on a bus carrying Shiv Khori pilgrims on Sunday evening. On Tuesday, Rajouri Police joined their Reasi counterparts to intensify search operations to apprehend the attackers.
Authorities have detained approximately two dozen suspects. Senior police and security officials are leading search operations in the hilly areas of Teryath, the site of the attack. Reports suggest that the terrorists managed to reach their hideouts with the help of a terror associate.
A senior police officer told The New Indian that 10 teams of Reasi Police have launched extensive search and cordon operations in Teryath and the surrounding areas, with Rajouri Police also joining the efforts. Teryath village is located on the border of Reasi and Rajouri districts, where terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Shiv Khori pilgrims, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including seven pilgrims, and injuring 43 others.
Sources indicated that four Pakistani terrorists and a terror associate were involved in the attack. Comprehensive operations have been launched to eliminate or capture the attackers.
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Reasi Police released sketches of two terrorists involved in the attack and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to their capture. Nearly two dozen individuals have been detained for questioning.
“The search operation is ongoing in and around the area where the attack took place, with 11 teams working on the ground and a multi-directional cordon laid around the Poni-Teryath belt,” said another senior police officer.
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Equipped with surveillance tools, including drones and sniffer dogs, security personnel launched a massive combing operation on Monday. A helicopter was also deployed to monitor the area.
Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), State Investigation Agency (SIA), and the Forensic Department visited the attack site and have joined the investigation.