The police in the Indian region of Jammu and Kashmir arrested an individual named Hakimdeen on Wednesday in relation to a recent attack, marking the first arrest in the case. The investigation is now under the purview of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the case being handed to it by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday.
The incident under investigation occurred on June 9, when a bus carrying pilgrims in the Reasi area was attacked, resulting in 9 fatalities and 33 injuries. An injury to the bus driver led to a loss of control and the bus subsequently fell into a gorge. As reported by Hindustan Times, a joint security force comprising the police, Indian Army, and Central Reserve Police Force has been established for temporary operations in the area.
Security officials allege that the Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba is involved in the attacks. Notably, the timing of the attack coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though no evidence has emerged to support any direct link to this event.
This incident is particularly unexpected for Reasi, an area that has typically not experienced the violence seen in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Multiple subsequent attacks have occurred in the region, including in Kathua and Doda, prompting the Indian government to place security forces on high alert and express significant concern.
For further details, refer to the original coverage on JURIST.