Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday detained as many as 50 suspects in connection with its probe into the recent terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of the Valley, officials said.
The detentions followed an extensive investigation led by the police and security forces which gave significant leads, aiding in the identification and capture of those potentially involved in orchestrating the attack, a police spokesperson said.
"Significant leads have been uncovered, aiding in the identification and capture of those who may be potentially involved in orchestrating the attack. To ensure a comprehensive probe, search operations have been expanded to cover the far-flung areas of Arnas and Mahore," the spokesperson said.
These areas were terrorist hotbeds between 1995 and 2005, he added.
Nine people were killed, including a minor, and 41 others were injured when a 53-seater bus transporting pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra plunged into a deep gorge after being fired upon by terrorists on Sunday (June 9) evening. The bus was carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
As part of the major crackdown, the ongoing search operations aim to uncover further evidence and apprehend terrorists who may be hiding in these remote regions.
"The law enforcement agencies are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in the area," the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have also released sketches of four terrorists involved in attacks in Doda district and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest.
Several districts of the Valley, including Sunderbani, Nowshera, Domana, Lamberi and Akhnoor areas of Rajouri and Jammu districts, have been put on high alert after intelligence agencies warned of more attacks by terror outfits on security forces.
The intel agencies have warned of plans by terror outfits to launch 'fidayeen' (suicide) attacks on security forces camps, installations, and asked to exercise maximum alert in the areas, officials said.
