A bus carrying Amarnath
yatris, reportedly not a part of the main
yatra convoy, was attacked on Monday by terrorists, killing seven pilgrims and injuring 20 others. The attack took place at Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district at 8:20 pm. There is high-security on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur and internet services have been snapped. The bus that was fired on was registered in Gujarat. Police sources said that it had violated the rules of the pilgrimage which bans buses from travelling on a highway after 7 pm for security reasons. The bus was also reportedly not part of the official tour for the Yatra which means that it was not given the customary police protection.
Here are the updates of this story:
Perpetrators Of Attack Stand Exposed Before People: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
The Amarnath yatra is a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir's composite culture and the perpetrators of the attack on pilgrims stand exposed before the people of the state, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said today, news agency PTI reported. "This yatra itself is a symbol of Kashmir's composite tradition. This is a yatra where people of one faith undertake the pilgrimage and the people of the other faith act as hosts. I think this is one of the most distinct examples," Mr Singh said.
There Was No Security Lapse: Ram Madhav
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav today ruled out security lapse behind the attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir, news agency IANS reported. "There has been no lapse, adequate security has been provided. The yatra had been peaceful for the last 15 days," Mr Madhav said. He said the security forces have to succeed each time, while terrorists succeed even if they get a single chance. "The security forces have to be successful 100 out of 100 times. But the terrorists win even if they succeed in striking once," Mr Madhav said.
Central Team To Submit Report To Home Minister Rajnath SinghA team from the centre, visiting Jammu and Kashmir to assess security measures for Amarnath yatra pilgrims, will submit a report to Home Minister Rajnath Singh after returning to Delhi, people familiar with the matter said, news agency PTI reported. Union ministers Hansraj Ahir and Jitendra Singh, and other members of the team attended a meeting with top civil and security officials in Srinagar, PTI reported. They met with Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Sadhus walk on a road at Chandanwari in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. (AFP)
Leaders Condemn Amarnath Yatra Terror Attack
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today condemned the "dastardly" terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, he said the people of India were together against elements who were trying to destabilise the country, news agency PTI reported.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said the attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims was a "grave security lapse" which occurred despite intelligence inputs. "I condemn strongly the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, in which devotees have been killed. It is a cowardly act to target peaceful pilgrims," Mr Gehlot tweeted.
Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat meets with Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar
Students in Surat pray for victims of the Amarnath yatra terror attack (PTI)
General Bipin Rawat Condemns Amarnath Yatra Terror Attack
Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, who arrived in Jammu and Kashmir today, condemned the terrorist attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims. He said the security forces will counter this menace with greater resolve.
Centre Announces Compensation
The centre today announced compensation of Rs 7 lakh for the next of kin of the Amarnath pilgrims killed in the Anantnag terror attack, and Rs 1 lakh for the injured, news agency PTI reported. A Home Ministry spokesperson said compensation will be given to the victims of yesterday's terror attack as early as possible.
Reward For Brave Driver Sheikh Saleem Gafoor BhaiThe Jammu and Kashmir government and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board or SASB today separately announced rewards totalling Rs 5 lakh for Sheikh Saleem Gafoor Bhai, a bus driver who drove on through a hail of bullets and didn't stop until he spotted an army camp. The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, which met under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, sanctioned a reward of Rs 3 lakh for Mr Bhai for exemplary alertness and courage, news agency PTI reported. Governor NN Vohra, in his capacity as chairperson of the SASB, announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for the driver, PTI reported.
Shiv Sena Condemns Amarnath Terror Attack
The Shiv Sena today condemned the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, news agency PTI reported. "This attack was not only on pilgrims going for the Amarnath yatra but on the entire country and the government in Delhi," Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai. "Merely condemning the incident will not suffice. It is now high time that this is given a befitting reply," he said.
Police personnel frisk people at a base camp before they head toward the cave shrine in Amarnath. (PTI)
A Border Security Force soldier guards a hill in Chandanwari in Anantnag district. (AFP)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Condemns Attack
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today condemned the terrorist attack on Amarnath yatris in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, news agency PTI reported. "I strongly condemn the attack on Amarnath yatris. It is a heinous act done by Pakistan-supported terrorists. It is a cowardly and shameful act by terrorists on innocent and unarmed pilgrims," Mr Singh said in a statement today.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat will visit Badami Bagh cantonment and meet with army commanders, news agency IANS reported. He is also likely to meet with officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force.
Schoolchildren take part in a vigil staged in Ahmedabad today, following an attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir.
(AFP Photo)
Paramilitary forces guard the site where Amarnath Yatris were attacked
Germany condemns terrorist attack on Amarnath Yatris
Germany resolutely stands by India in the fight against terrorism and extremism, said the German Ambassador to India
Vice President Hamid Ansari expressed shock at attack on Amarnath pilgrims
In his message, he condoled the families of the deceased and said perpetrators of such "wanton" acts of violence should be punished for the "crime against humanity".
He said India remains united in the face of such attacks. "I'm shocked to learn of the dastardly terrorist attack on Amarnath yatra in Jammu and Kashmir which has resulted in loss of lives and injuries to pilgrims," he said.
"Such wanton acts of violence can have no justification. The perpetrators and those who support and shelter them should be punished for this crime against humanity," Mr Ansari said.
They have attacked the Kashmiriyat of India. Innocent bhajan singing devotees were killed. Security forces are taking action: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat arrives in Srinagar to review security situation
Gujarat Chief Minister annouces compensation for those killed and injured in Amarnath Yatra attackGujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that: "People from Gujarat who have lost lives will get Rs 10 lakh each from Gujarat government, injured to be given Rs 2 lakh"
He also thanked
the bus driver for saving lives of people even when there was firing going on. Will nominate his name for bravery award.
Mortal remains of victims of the Amarnath Yatra terror attack reach Surat in Gujarat
Former Assam Chief Minister condemns attack on Amarnath yatris
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval briefs PM Modi on security situation in Jammu and Kashmir
US condemns the attack Amarnath pilgrims
Security meet underway at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar
Officials from all the security agencies present, the CRPF, Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Heads of security forces include General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based Army's 15 Corps, Inspector General Kashmir police, Divisional Commissioner of the dicision, IG CRPF.
There was a security lapse, Jammu And Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister To NDTV"Yes, definitely this is a big lapse. We have to enquire why the bus left at 5pm, why it was allowed after sunset. We were told there was a tyre burst and the driver took time to replace it," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Making it clear that the 40-day Amarnath Yatra will not be cancelled despite the massive terror attack, Dr Singh further told NDTV, "It is the design of terrorists to scare people, but people must come for the Yatra."
DG CRPF, who reached Srinagar early in the morning, is attending security review meeting under the chairmanship of Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Thereafter, DG CRPF will visit the site and have review meetings with CRPF officials and local police.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti meets family of the Amarnath Yatra attack victims Mehbooba Mufti hugged a family member of one of those injured in terror attack on Amarnath yatris
Attack victims to reach Gujarat by this afternoon
All the victims are being flown in a special air force plane to Surat in Gujarat today. It will reach there around 1 pm. The state's Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel will be at the airport.
Actor Anupam Kher reacts to the terror attack on Amarnath yatris
JUST IN: Delhi on high alert post Amarnath terror attack, reports news agency ANI.
Rajnath Singh chairs meeting to review security in Jammu and Kashmir post terror attack
National Security Adviser Doval, Intelligence Bureau Chief Rajiv Jain, and Home Secretary are present at Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence for meeting on attack on Amarnath Yatris in Anantnag
Day after the attack, pilgrims show complete confidence in government
Politicians condemn the terror attack in Amarnath
Highly painful, condemnable & dastardly act of brutality on innocent pilgrims....by brutes filled with hatred.
Hope wish and pray that the effect and impact of this horrible & cowardly attack on our people and paramilitary forces does not go far
- Shatrughan Sinha, Member of Parliament from Patna
The attack on #AmarnathYatra pilgrims is an affront on India. It is an abhorring & condemnable act and should be dealt with firmness.
- Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Minister
Very painful that pilgrims who had gone to pray at Amarnath had to lose their lives in a terror attack! Barbaric & dastardly act!
- Sambit Patra, BJP spokesperson
Killing of Amarnath pilgrims is cowardly act which is condemnable. I am saddened & convey my condolences to d bereaved families.
- Sharad Yadav, Rajya Sabha member
Attack on Amaranth pilgrims carried out by LeT: Kashmir Police
BREAKING NEWS: Attack on Amaranth pilgrims carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba, masterminded by Pakistani terrorist Ismail, Inspector General of Kashmir Muneer Khan tells news agency ANI
Here's what the situation is lijke in Jammu and Kashmir
All educational institutes closed in Jammu for two days. Jammu's political parties, chamber of commerce have called for a bandh.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh calls meeting 9:45 am to review Jammu and Kashmir security post attack on pilgrims.
With their spirits undeterred, pilgrims make way to the Amarnath shrine.
Meanwhile, a new batch of pilgrims have left for continuing their yatra.
Security tightened in Amarnath Yatra. CRPF escort vehicles have been increased by 50 %
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said the Amarnath pilgrims injured in a
terror attack at Anantnag district will be airlifted to Delhi today.
Police has released names of pilgrims killed in the attack
Those attacking innocent people won't be spared. All 15 injured people are out of danger: Jammu And Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh
"I have no words to condemn this, hope those involved will be arrested and punished soon," Mehbooba Mufti on Anantnag terror attack.
JUST IN: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reaches hospital to meet the injured.
Darkest Era We Have Seen: PDP Youth President Waheed Ur Rehman Para
The injured have been rushed to hospital.
The last time the Amarnath Yatra was targeted was 17 years ago, in August, 2000. The terrorists had then struck in Pahalgam area, killing 30.
Injured being treated in a hospital after terrorists opened fire on the Amarnath Yatra in which seven pilgrims were killed and many were injured in Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. (PTI Photo)
The bus that was fired on was registered in Gujarat. Five of the seven pilgrims killed were women, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi expresses sorrow over the attack targeting Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, asks for investigation into lapses in security: Press Trust of India
'Unforgivable':
Political Leaders Condemn Terror Attack On Amarnath Yatra
Condemnation poured in from across the country after a terrorist attack killed seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and left 12 injured. Leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the attack was an unforgivable act by the terrorists.
The annual yatra to the holy shrine of Amarnath began from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal amidst tight security arrangements on June 29. Over 6,000 pilgrims were allowed to move towards the shrine from north Kashmir's Baltal base camp while 5,000 pilgrims proceeded from the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route. Around 1.2 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves this year.
India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks: PM Modi on Amarnath attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a series of tweets, expressed sharp condemnation for the attack. " India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate," he wrote. PM Modi, who spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Governor and Chief Minister, also assured all possible assistance required.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemns the attack:
Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the attack in a statement, saying: "This is an assault on our values and traditions which we hold dear. We will leave no stone unturned to root out the perpetrators of this heinous crime."
Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor NN Vohra, assured full assistance to help the injured.
Terrorists launched the attack on the bus at 8:20 pm in the Bantegoo area of the district, said officials.
The police claimed the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on a highway after 7 pm, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
The bus, which was from Gujarat, was reportedly not part of the main yatra convoy and was not registered with the shrine board, the Central Reserve Police Force or CRPF said.
Internet services in Kashmir have been blocked after Amarnath pilgrims in a bus were attacked by terrorists in Anantnag district.