Six Hindu pilgrims killed in IOK attack

Modi says 'pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful pilgrims'

SRINAGAR: Six Hindu pilgrims were killed and 14 others wounded on Monday in Indian-occupied Kashmir, police told AFP, after their bus came under attack.

India's Central Reserve Police Force, which provides security for the two-month long annual pilgrimage, said gunmen first opened fire on a security checkpoint but no injuries were reported. "Gunmen further attacked the pilgrims' bus at Batingu [six civilians killed and 14 injured] and escaped towards Arwani," the CRPF said in a statement. The police force added the pilgrims were from the western Indian state of Gujarat.



A New Delhi based security official, speaking anonymously, told AFP that security personnel were exploring "all the angles including suspected gunmen".

Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims trek over mountain trails to reach Amarnath caves, around 3,900 metres above sea level, in Indian-held Kashmir every year.

The devotees worship the natural ice formation at the caves as a symbol of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. "Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on the peaceful Amarnath Yatris [pilgrims] in Jammu and Kashmir," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.

Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2017

"India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate," Modi added.

India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks & the evil designs of hate.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2017

The pilgrimage has previously been the target of militants, with more than 30 pilgrims killed in 2000. The state's former chief minister Omar Abdullah urged "every right thinking Kashmiri" to 'unequivocally' condemn the attack. "This is a moment for us to define ourselves. Are we willing to ... take a stand. No terror and murder in our names," Abdullah tweeted.

This is a moment for us to define ourselves. Are we willing to abandon the whataboutary & take a stand. No terror & murder in our names.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 10, 2017

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of All Parties Hurriyat [Freedom] Conference, a political coalition opposed to the Indian rule of Kashmir, also condemned the attack. "As the unfortunate news of the Yatris killing reaches us leadership and people of Kashmir are deeply disturbed and saddened and strongly condemn it," Farooq said on Twitter.

As the unfortunate news of the Yatris Killing reaches us leadership & people of #Kashmir are deeply saddened &strongly condemn it. To us ...

— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) July 10, 2017

Indian-held Kashmir, has since 2014 been governed by the pro-India People's Democratic Party in an unpopular coalition with Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP]. Analysts say this has intensified public opposition to Indian rule in Kashmir.

Tensions have also been high around the first anniversary of the death of charismatic rebel leader Burhan Wani, who was shot dead by security forces on July 8 2016. The death of the 23-year-old, who had built up a big following on social media, sparked a huge outpouring of grief in Kashmir.