The National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a series of raids across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as part of its ongoing investigation into the deadly terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district last June.
According to official sources, these raids targeted seven locations in the region, with the support of local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The National Investigation Agency is targeting individuals believed to be hybrid terrorists and over-ground workers (OGWs) suspected of aiding the attackers in the searches.
The NIA’s multiple teams began operations early in the morning, carrying out searches in Rajouri and Reasi districts.
The raids aim to uncover further evidence related to the 9 June attack in which terrorists ambushed a bus transporting pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, the base town for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
The brutal assault occurred in Teryath village in the Poni area of Reasi district, where terrorists opened fire on the driver of the bus, causing it to plunge into a gorge.
The attackers continued firing at the overturned vehicle, killing nine pilgrims and injuring 40 others, including men, women, and children.
While The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities have attributed it to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group.
TRF operates as a proxy organization, often taking credit for attacks to deflect attention from LeT’s involvement.
In the aftermath of the attack, 50 suspects were detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The NIA took over the investigation on 17 June to further probe the terror strike and identify those responsible for providing logistical support to the perpetrators.
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