On June 9th, a devastating terrorist attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in the death of nine individuals and left several others injured.
Investigations into the attack have uncovered the involvement of a local resident, 45-year-old Hakam Din from Rajouri district, who provided logistical support to the Pakistani terrorists responsible.
Din revealed that he met the three terrorists multiple times, providing them with food and assisting them in conducting a reconnaissance mission to identify a strategic location for their attack. On the day of the attack, the terrorists returned to Din's house, discussed their plans, and then carried out the heinous act.
He was questioned by multiple agencies following his arrest. A source familiar with the investigation said, “He claims he first met the attackers around 5.30 pm on June 1, when they knocked on his door and asked him to prepare food for three people. One of them was referring to another as ‘Manzoor bhai’. They asked him to bring food to their shelter in a forest.”
“On June 7, the three militants again visited his house, and asked him to accompany them for a recce to Pouni, where the attack took place. They were there for around three and a half hours. They sat in different spots to pick a strategic location for the attack, and to identify the slope of the road where the vehicle would slow down. They marked these locations before leaving. They also asked Hakam about the movement of tourist buses,” said the source.
A day after conducting the attack, they visited Hakam’s house for tea and discussed the plan. “They left with food. On June 9, they returned to their marked locations and waited for a specific bus carrying pilgrims. They first targeted the driver, and did not stop firing even after he lost control of the bus, which plummeted into a gorge,” said the source.
After the attack, the terrorists paid Din Rs 5,000 for his assistance and took his Aadhaar card. They also instructed him to flee but assured him of their return.
Din's detailed description of the terrorists allowed investigators to prepare sketches of two additional suspects, adding to the existing sketch of a third attacker who is currently the subject of a Rs 20 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.
Based on the information gathered from Hakam Din, investigators believe the terrorists infiltrated from across the Line of Control and are still hiding in the dense forests of the region. The NIA and other agencies are actively pursuing leads to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.
With inputs from TOI
