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By APD Writer Rishika Chauhan
NEW DELHI, July 11 (APD) - Terrorists in the province of Jammu and Kashmir gunned down seven pilgrims on Monday.
More than 19 people were also injured in the attack.
The terrorists opened fire on a bus, which was returning from Amarnath holy shrine, about 50 kilometers away from the town of Pahalgam.
The terrorists escaped after the attack.
In a statement, Mehbooba Mufti, the Chief Minister of the province said, "This is an assault on our values and traditions which we hold dear. We will leave no stone unturned to root out the perpetrators of this heinous crime."
Through a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath pilgrims. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone... India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate."
Every summer the Amarnath shrine, which is considered holy by the followers of Hinduism is opened to pilgrims.
The pilgrimage usually begins from Jammu, which is 200 kilometers away from the shrine.
It takes 40 days to reach the cave of Amarnath, which is in the mountains of South Kashmir. This year the pilgrimage started on June 28.
To ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims, the authorities were using satellite-tracking system and around 40,000 security personnel were appointed to guard the route that runs through the terrorism stricken province of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to reports, the attacked bus was not a part of the official tour which is given police protection.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
