Ganesh Kendale
JAMMU: Jammu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday raided seven places in Reasi and Rajouri districts of J&K as part of its probe into the deadly terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori temple to Katra on June 9.
Officials said local police and CRPF assisted the NIA teams during the raids at the locations connected to hybrid terrorists and over-ground workers.
Nine people, including seven pilgrims were killed and 41 others were injured when terrorists opened fire at the bus at Upper Kanda-Teryath in Pouni area of Reasi district.
Initially, The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Facist Force (PAFF), offshoots of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, respectively, claimed responsibility for the attack. Following widespread condemnation of the attack on innocent civilians, they later retracted.
The investigation was handed over to the NIA on June 17.
On June 19, police arrested one Hakam Din (45), a resident of Rajouri district, for facilitating and guiding terrorists to the spot. Based on information provided by him, NIA had carried out raids at multiple locations in Rajouri district on June 30.
