The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

June 9, 2024, witnessed a host of activities in New Delhi including the new NDA government being sworn in at Rashtrapati Bhawan amid a galaxy of foreign heads of states attending the ceremony among some 9,000 invitees. Ironically, this was concurrent to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

On the same day (June 9, 2024) a bus carrying 40-50 pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori shrine and going to Katra came under fire at about 6.10 PM in Teryath village in Pouni area of Reasi district of J&K. 20-30 rounds were reportedly fired by the terrorists. The driver was hit in the firing and lost control, resulting in the bus veering off the road and sliding down a gorge. Terrorists kept firing at the injured pilgrims in the gorge. Three pilgrims from Noida say they survived by playing dead. 10 pilgrims were killed and 22 injured in the attack.

According to the Reasi administration, pilgrims died due to the bus falling into the gorge. The bodies of many pilgrims seen lying around were found in a mutilated condition. Some of these bodies were of children. Pilgrims from UP, Delhi and Rajasthan were reportedly travelling in the bus. It is said that the terrorists started firing near the dargah located at Chandi Mod between Pouni and Ransoo. The injured passengers were shifted to the District Hospital at Reasi, Narayan Hospital in Katra and Government Medical College at Jammu.

On June 9, 2024, a terrorist attack occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, where a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked, resulting in 10 deaths and 22 injuries.

Three terrorists are believed to have carried out the attack. According to official sources, the terrorists involved in the attack are believed to be hiding in the upper reaches of the neighboring Rajouri and Reasi as the axis of these two districts are densely forested interspersed with gorges that provide plenty of hiding places to hide and lie doggo.

The terrorists involved are assumed to be from the same group that has been undertaking attacks in this region, like; attack on two Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicles killing one and injuring four IAF personnel near Sanai in Surankot tehsil of Poonch district, with terrorists shouting 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack on May 4, 2024; ambush at Dera Ki Gali in Bufliaz area of Surankot in December 21, 2023, killing four Army personnel; ambush in Bhata Durrian area in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district on April 20, 2023 in which five Army personnel were killed.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the investigations. Sketches of three suspects have been released. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has also joined the operation to collect circumstantial evidence from the attack site. President Draupadi Murmu expressed grief over the death of pilgrims in the bus accident in Reasi and conveyed condolences to families of the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the accident and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The pattern of the Reasi terrorist attack was significant as it was likely a well-planned operation by Pakistan army/ISI operatives.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted that the Prime Minister inquired about the situation and asked to keep an eye on the situation. Along with this, instructions have been given for better treatment and help to the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manoj Sinha and DGP, J&K, inquired about the attack on the pilgrims in Reasi and said that the culprits of the attack will not be spared and they will be brought to justice.

The pattern of the Reasi terrorist attack is not very different from previous attacks in the region. But it was significant, having been timed with the swearing in ceremony of the new Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also, the manner in which the driver of the bus was shot from the middle of the road suggests that the terrorists most likely were Pakistan army/ISI operatives tasked to undertake a well-planned clinical operation. This attack was a signal to Prime Minister Modi by the Pakistan army, who continue to control Pakistan, notwithstanding the admission by former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that Pakistan broke the Lahore Declaration by initiating the Kargil Conflict in 1999.

June 9 was also the India-Pakistan T20 match in New York and in yesteryears Pakistan always indulged in cross-border firing whenever such matches were played. But this time the main event was the swearing in of the new Indian Government, which leads us to multiple questions. Wasn't such a terrorist attack expected? If yes, why was an advisory not issued? Could we have prevented this attack? Were our intelligence agencies, especially R&AW and the Intelligence Bureau, caught unaware? What is the level of our cross-border intelligence and how the massive void created by the disbandment of the Army's Technical Support Division (TSD) is bridged?

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the investigations, and sketches of three suspects have been released, with a Forensic Science Laboratory team collecting evidence from the attack site.

Army's TSD was disbanded by the last UPA government not because of reasons released to the media, but since it 'automatically' revealed cross-border involvement of politicians in activities like smuggling, hawala transactions etc. This caused fear of exposure in concerned politicians. Hence, the TSD, which was obtaining excellent cross-border intelligence was shut down, Ironically subsequent NDA governments failed to revive the TSD, perhaps because of similar political apprehensions

What should be India's response to the Reasi terror attack? Why do we repeatedly fail to acknowledge that the brain and support for terrorism in J&K is in Pakistan/POK, and conducting counter-terrorism operations only within J&K is not the answer? The argument that the number of terror attacks have gone down is no consolation for the next of kin of those killed. Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) has a mix of regular army soldiers and terrorists. There have been instances where our soldiers have been beheaded and their bodies mutilated. In response to Pakistan's proxy war, our political sloganeering is "Ghar Mein Ghus Kar Marenge" (will kill them in their own house). But this is exactly what Pakistan has been practicing.

The attack raises questions about the preparedness and effectiveness of India's intelligence agencies and the need for a proactive response to terrorism originating from Pakistan.

We don't stop bragging about the two cross border actions over the last 10 years - 'surgical strike' and the 'Balakot standoff bombing' where the number of terrorists killed remains ambiguous. But both these actions were in response to heavy casualties suffered at the hands of Pakistani terrorists at Uri and Pulwama respectively. So, we can hardly term these actions "pro-active". Resultantly, Pakistan remains in a happy situation; terrorism-wise vis-à-vis India.

With porosity of the Line of Control (LoC)/border being both ways, we need to exact revenge for "every" terrorist attack in POK/Pakistan, preferably within 24 hours. Our forces have the capability to do so but we lack the political will. Our pusillanimous response encourages Pakistan more. Also, with Pakistan facing terror attacks from Afghanistan, it will divert more terror groups towards J&K.