Nine people lost their lives and 41 others sustained injuries when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiri militant groups People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) and The Resistance Front (TRF) have distanced themselves from the attack, refuting claims of their involvement on social media handle X.
PAFF, often linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), condemned the attack, labelling it as an Indian-regime ploy. A spokesperson stated, “We strongly condemn the inhuman and cowardly attack on the innocent passengers in Reasi.” PAFF accused the BJP and RSS of orchestrating the violence, alleging it was a tactic for political gain. They said their focus was on targeting Indian forces and urged for an impartial investigation.
The Resistance Front (TRF), in a separate statement, denied any association with the attack, saying, “The news that is being circulated through certain social media handles regarding TRF claiming the attack in Reasi is not correct.”
“We don’t use proxies to claim our attacks nor do we shy away from claiming our attacks. We want to make it clear that any media outlet writing or uploading any content can’t be related to TRF but what TRF directly uploads on its official media channels is too authentic,” it said in a statement.
Earlier reports suggested that The Resistance Front (TRF) had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Authorities suspect the involvement of Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the attack. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rayees Mohammad Bhat, stated, “As per our initial information gathered from eye witnesses and footprints from the area, there could possibly [be] two to three terrorists who were involved in this attack on bus. Our investigations are going on and operation is on in the area.”
The attack, occurring just weeks before the annual Amarnath Yatra and impending assembly elections, has raised concerns over security in the region. It coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) cabinet in the national capital.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured that those responsible for the attack would not escape justice. He said, “Police, CRPF, and the Army has launched a joint operation and those who are responsible for the attack efforts are underway to get them punished.”
“The first priority is to save the injured. I have spoken to the PM and home minister, and I assure the people that whosoever is responsible for the attack won’t be spared,” he said.
