Just a day after the Amarnath Yatra terror attack in which at least seven pilgrims died while 19 others were injured, Congress has accused the Central government of security lapse which led to the incident. Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “If there were intelligence inputs on 25th June that Amarnath Yatra would be attacked, why no preventive measures were taken?” Surjewala further went on to blame the Central government. “This is a matter of serious security lapse on the part of Government and security forces,” the Congress leader said.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday also pointed fingers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to take responsibility for the security lapse. In a series of tweets, Gandhi wrote, “This is a grave & unacceptable security lapse. The PM needs to accept responsibility and never allow it to happen again.” The Congress vice-president’s remarks came after a group of militants opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims at Botengo village near Anantnag district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in South Kashmir at around 8:10 pm on Monday night.

The Congress leader further went on to express his condolences over the loss of lives and said India will not be intimidated by such attacks. “I share the pain and anguish of families who lost loved ones in the terror attack on innocent Amarnath Yatris today. India will never be intimidated by these terrorist cowards,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for an emergency high-level meeting at his residence to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Several top officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba, IB director, RAW Chief, etc came to attend the meeting. As per news agency PTI, the meeting was called to discuss the security of Amarnath pilgrims and to have a discussion on how such attacks can be prevented in the future.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App</s>At least seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were killed and many others injured in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday, PTI reported. The terrorists also attacked a police party in Bantigoo area beside targeting a bus carrying the pilgrims.

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The attack took place hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba module with the arrests of two persons, including Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Reacting to the incident, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said: “the attack cannot be condemned strongly enough.” Omar wrote on Twitter, “Very sad news. The attack cannot be condemned strongly enough. My sympathies to the families & prayers for the injured.

He added the attack was feared in spite of recent success by security forces. “The one thing we had all feared this year during the yatra. In spite of recent successes against militants & unprecedented force presence,” he tweeted.

The one thing we had all feared this year during the yatra. In spite of recent successes against militants & unprecedented force presence. https://t.co/NUkScKdGfl — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) July 10, 2017

Very sad news. The attack cannot be condemned strongly enough. My sympathies to the families & prayers for the injured. — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) July 10, 2017 Advertising

Earlier, the Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu due to law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley under curfew for the death anniversary of militant commander Burhan Wani. Authorities clamped curfew in three towns, including Tral in Kashmir, and imposed restrictions on the movement of people in the rest of the valley.

Read | Amarnath Yatra terror attack: Here’s how political leaders are reacting

Special prayers were held on Sunday near the Pahalgam base camp of the annual Amarnath yatra, marking the commencement of the pilgrimage.

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12:31 am: List of passengers who were travelling in the bus which was attacked. Express photo

12:30 am: NDA Presidential nominee Ramnath Kovind has also condemned the attack. He called it a ‘cowardly act’, as reported by ANI.

12:25 am: Mehbooba Mufti met the injured in Anantnag hospital. While addressing the media, she said: “the bus carrying yatris broke down & they got away from the cordon. Five women among those killed.”

#WATCH: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visits the injured #AmarnathYatra pilgrims in Anantnag hospital. pic.twitter.com/jcGyst45ap — ANI (@ANI_news) July 10, 2017

12:15 am: Gujarat PM Vijay Rupani has condemned the attack and said, ” Condemn cowardly attack, India will never get bogged down by such acts. Six people from Gujarat’s Valsad have lost their lives in Anantnag terror attack. Our government is in contact with J&K government and military to ensure proper treatment and medical attention for the injured.”

11:48 pm: Statement by police: Today evening terrorists initially attacked a police BP bunker at Botengoo. The fire was retaliated. There was no report of injuries. Thereafter, the terrorists fired on a police naka near Khanabal. The fire was retaliated. A tourist bus was hit bu bullets in which about 18 tourists were injured. Among them, six persons died while rest are being treated. The bus was on way to Jammu from Baltal and was not part of the convoy.

#WATCH: Scenes from the hospital in J&K’s Anantnag where injured #AmarnathYatra pilgrims have been admitted post terror attack pic.twitter.com/Kdn54adES5 — ANI (@ANI_news) July 10, 2017

11:45 pm: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti has reached Anantnag hospital where the injured have been admitted.

11:28 pm:

Visuals from the hospital where injured #AmarnathYatra pilgrims have been admitted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag post terror attack. pic.twitter.com/lqjL6fetfd — ANI (@ANI_news) July 10, 2017

11:24 pm: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi has said, “India will never be intimidated by these terrorist cowards. This is a grave and unacceptable security lapse. The PM needs to accept responsibility and never allow it to happen again.”

11:20 pm: BJP President Amit Shah has also reacted to the attack. “I have no words to express my deep pain on the killing of innocent pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Amarnath. It is a henious act. I pray for the families of those who have lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to the injured. Cowards responsible for this barbaric act will not be spared. I have spoken to the BJP District President and MLC from Anantnag and asked our karyakartas in Kashmir to help the pilgrims in need,” he said.

11:07 pm: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said that this incident should add to our determination to eliminate terrorism.

11:05 pm: Sonia Gandhi expresses sorrow, asks for investigation into lapses in security.

Sonia Gandhi expresses sorrow over the #Anantnag attack targeting #AmarnathYatra pilgrims, asks for investigation into lapses in security. pic.twitter.com/SvsZJ8qx0M — ANI (@ANI_news) July 10, 2017

10: 55 pm: Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party gives a ‘bandh’ call in Jammu for tomorrow

10: 36 pm Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack on yatris. Here are his tweets

I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of J&K and assured all possible assistance required. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2017

India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks & the evil designs of hate. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2017

My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 10, 2017

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

10:34 pm Home Minister seeks details of the attack from CM and Governor; also directs officials to ensure foolproof security in future. According to PTI, Rajnath Singh has spoken to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor N N Vohra over terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims

10:25 PM Union minister Jeetendra Singh has described the attack on Amarnath yatris as an attack on the resilience of India.

10:18 PM This is the latest picture from the site

10:06 PM Internet services in Kashmir have been blocked, in view of tense situation in the valley.

10:05 PM Police claim the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on a highway after 7 pm.

9:56 PM According to a CRPF statement, the bus was not part of the official yatra and not registered with the Amarnath Shrine Board. The bus was carrying pilgrims back from Baltal after performing the yatra.

9:54 PM Security has been enhanced at Jammu-Srinagar National highway in Udhampur following terror attack on Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims in Anantnag, ANI reported.

9:52 PM The attack on Amarnath yatris is a dark patch on the history of Kashmir, says state minister Naeem Akhtar.

9:49 PM Death toll rises to seven, says police

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9:45 PM Here are the visuals from the site of attack</s>Amarnath Yatra terror attack: Security was stepped up across Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlights 19 pilgrims injured as terrorists opened fire on their bus Bus was not part of main Amarnath yatra convoy Terrorists also fired at a police party in Anantnag

All Amarnath Yatra pilgrims injured in the terror attack were rushed to hospitals.

The bus that came under attack was not part of the official Amarnath Yatra convoy.

Seven pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra - six of them women - were killed on Monday in a terror attack in Anantnag at about 8:30 pm . At least 19 people were injured in one the worst terror strikes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.Terrorists opened fire on a bus with the pilgrims who were returning after visiting the holy shrine that is located in a narrow gorge at the end of a valley nearly 50 km from Pahalgam.Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a statement: "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." She visited the injured at a hospital in Anantnag.Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, " Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone... India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate."The bus that was fired on was registered in Gujarat. Police sources said that it had violated the rules of the pilgrimage which bans buses from travelling on a highway after 7 pm for security reasons. Ms Mufti said the bus had apparently broken down, delaying their return.The bus was also reportedly not part of the official tour for the Yatra which means that it was not given the customary police protection.The Press Trust of India said the terrorists - it is not clear how many there were - first opened fire an armoured police car whose occupants fired back. The pilgrims were then hit as the terrorists fired indiscriminately, the news agency said."We were sleeping when the firing started from both the sides. We don't know how many people were there," said a passenger.Before that, the same terrorists had reportedly opened fire on a security checkpost just 600 metres from where the bus was attacked.The journey begins usually from Jammu, which is 200 km from the shrine.The 40-day-long Yatra to the cave of Amarnath high in the mountains of South Kashmir commenced on June 28.With unprecedented security including a satellite tracking system and about 40,000 troops assigned to guard the pilgrims and their route.At the time, according to the Press Trust of India , a letter from a top police officer to other security officials warned of an intelligence alert that said "terrorists have been directed to eliminate 100 to 150 pilgrims and about 200 police officers and officials."The letter said the attack could target a Yatra convoy "which they believe will result in flaring of communal tensions throughout the nation."The letter by the police officer said further corroboration of the intel input was needed. The security cover for the Yatra includes soldiers from paramilitary forces, the army, the Border Security Force and the Jammu and Kashmir police.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.</s>Terrorists on Monday killed seven Amarnath pilgrims, including six women, and injured 19 others as they struck at a bus in Kashmir's Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2001.

The bus bearing the registration number GJ09Z 9976 was attacked around 08.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to from Srinagar Jammu, police said.

Five of those killed were from Gujarat and two from Maharashtra.

The deceased from Gujarat were identified as Hasuben Ratila Patal, Surakha Ben and Lakshimiben S Patal from Valsad, Ratan Zeena Bhai Patal of Daman and Prajapati Champaben of Navsari, a Jammu and police spokesperson said.

Those from Maharashtra were Nirmala Ben Thakor, a resident of Palghar, and Usha Mohanla Sonkar of Danu. Police said 19 pilgrims were injured in the attack and their condition is stable.

A security official said the victims had performed the yatra two days ago and had subsequently moved to Srinagar.

On Monday, they were going from Srinagar to Jammu when they became the target of the Police said the bus was not a part of the yatra convoy which is being provided elaborate security.

Thereafter the terrorists fired on a police picket near Khannabal, the police added.

When the police retaliated, the militants fled, firing indiscriminately in which the bus carrying the yatris got it.

The police and top government sources said the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on the highway after 7:00 pm as the security cover is withdrawn after that.

He said he spoke to Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Vohra and Mehbooba.

"Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone," Modi tweeted.

"My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in My prayers with the injured," he added.

In yet another tweet, the prime minister said, "India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks & the evil designs of hate."

The Home Minister, in his telephonic call to Vohra and Mehbooba, sought details of the attack. He told them to ensure that the injured people are given adequate medical treatment.

He also directed officials to ensure foolproof security in future.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley termed the attack as the "most reprehensible act" and said "This incident should add to our determination to eliminate terrorism."

The attack was condemned by other leaders as well.

The last time the was targeted was in 2001 when terrorists had struck in the Sheshnag area close to the holy cave of Amarnath, killing 13 people.

Prior to that, terrorists had attack on August 1, 2000 in Pahalgam area, killing 30 people, who also included porters.

Internet services were suspended in the Jammu region after the on Amarnath pilgrims, official said.

Internet and broadband services in the region have been suspended as a precautionary measure following the killing of in a in the Valley, the SSP control room said.

Terrorists tonight killed seven pilgrims from Gujarat, including six women, and injured 32 others as they struck at a bus in the district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2000.

Victims to be airlifted to Delhi

"The dead and the injured pilgrims will be shifted to Srinagar tonight. They will then be airlifted to New Delhi in a special BSF aircraft at 7:30 am tomorrow," he said.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Mandeep Bhandari said the will continue from Jammu on Tuesday.

"The yatra will not be disrupted and it will continue as per the plans tomorrow," he told PTI.

on pilgrims 'blot on Kashmiris', says Mehbooba Mufti

"The incident has left Kashmiris' heads hanging in shame. The attack is a blot on the name of Muslims and the people of Kashmir," said Mehbooba.

"I have no words to condemn this. I hope those involved will be arrested and punished soon," she added.

Attack on Amarnath yatris crime against humanity, says Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today termed the attack on as "a crime against humanity" and called for decisive action against its perpetrators.

Gandhi said the government should order a thorough probe into any security lapses.

"The attack on the devotees of Lord Shiva is a crime against humanity. The entire nation is in shock," she said in a statement. The government should ensure the safety of the pilgrims, she said.

Attack on Amarnath yatris most reprehensible act, says Arun Jaitley

The defence minister also conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed in the attack in Anantnag.

" on #AmarnathYatra is the most reprehensible act. My condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted.

"This incident should add to our determination to eliminate terrorism," the defence minister said in another tweet.

"Strongly condemn the attack on Amarnath yatris and the police. Terrorism unacceptable anywhere in the world," Banerjee said in a statement.

.

 I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of and assured all possible assistance required.</s>Srinagar/New Delhi: At least seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday when militants attacked police guarding them during their trek to the shrine, police said, an attack likely to raise tensions in the Kashmir Valley.

J&K police inspector general Munir Ahmad Khan said the Amarnath Yatra attack was aimed at a police commando group in Anantnag, which lies on the way to the Amarnath shrine and was teeming with pilgrims. Six pilgrims and three policemen were wounded in the attack, he said.

The Amarnath pilgrims were travelling in a bus from Balram to Mir Bazar.

“In the firing by militants, seven people, five of them women, were killed, and another seven injured,” a J&K police official said. All the victims were from Gujarat, according to people aware of the matter.

The bus had come from Sonamarg. The police claimed the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on a highway after 7pm.

“Reportedly the bus was neither a part of convoy nor registered with shrine board. Troops of 90 Bn & 40 battalion of the CRPF were rushed to the spot,” said a senior CRPF official.

“Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. “My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured,” he said in another tweet.

Modi said he has spoken to the J&K governor and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required. Home minister Rajnath Singh too called Mufti and Vohra over the terror attack.

The terror attack comes a day after the Amarnath Yatra was resumed from Jammu on Sunday after a day-long suspension due to apprehensions of a law-and-order situation in the Kashmir Valley.</s>In what constituted a dastardly act, seven pilgrims were killed while four policemen were injured in a terror attack on a team of security personnel guarding the Amarnath convoy in Anantnag in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.</s>Hours after seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and as many people were injured in a dastardly terrorist attack in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police claimed that the bus driver carrying the yatris had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which prohibits yatra vehicle to ply on a highway after 7 pm.

A police official stated that the militants launched an attack on an armoured car of the police at 8.20 pm and when the police fired back, they fled, firing indiscriminately. A bus carrying pilgrims was on the highway when the incident occurred. “In the firing by militants, seven people, five of them women, were killed, and another seven injured,” the official added.

The bus had come from Sonamarg as the pilgrims were on their way back after visiting the Amarnath shrine. In the wake of fresh attacks, internet services in Kashmir have been blocked.

According to PTI, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called up J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor N N Vohra over terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims. Condemning the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he was “pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K.”

ALSO READ: Amarnath Yatra attack LIVE: Seven pilgrims killed, many injured as terrorists target yatris’ bus in Anantnag

The attack took place hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba module with the arrests of two persons, including Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil, a resident of Muzaffarnagar.

Reacting to the incident, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said: “the attack cannot be condemned strongly enough.” Omar wrote on Twitter, “Very sad news. The attack cannot be condemned strongly enough. My sympathies to the families & prayers for the injured.”

Earlier, the Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu due to the tense law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley for the death anniversary of militant commander Burhan Wani.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App</s>NEW DELHI: Seven pilgrims, most of them women, were killed on Monday night in Jammu and Kashmir when terrorists opened fire on a bus returning from the Amarnath shrine. At least 20 more people were injured in one of the worst terror strikes in the state.

The police in Kashmir say the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack and the mastermind was a Pakistani terrorist, Abu Ismail.

The pilgrims’ bus was surrounded on three sides by the terrorists near a security checkpost at Anantnag and fired at. The same terrorists had first fired at an armoured police car around 8:30 pm.

The bus, which had pilgrims from Gujarat and Maharashtra, was on its way back from the Amarnath shrine located in a narrow gorge at the end of a valley nearly 50 km from Pahalgam. Police sources say the rules of the pilgrimage bans buses from travelling on a highway after 7 pm for security reasons but the bus had been delayed because of a breakdown. The bus was also reportedly not part of the official tour, which means that it did not have the standard police escort.

This morning, more than 3,000 pilgrims headed for Amarnath, many of them saying nothing would stop them from completing their pilgrimage. The number of vehicles escorting them has been increased by half.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a meeting to review security in Jammu and Kashmir, especially of the Amarnath pilgrimage, which takes place every year under the protection of about 40,000 troops. For the first time this year, the arrangements include drones and satellite tracking.

Munir Khan, a senior police officer in Kashmir, said it appeared to be a revenge attack after a major Lashkar unit was busted in the Valley a day before. The police said they received startling information about recent terror attacks in Anantnag after the arrest of Sandeep Kumar Sharma, a resident of Uttar Pradesh who was himself involved in three major attacks on the army and the police in the last month.

A letter from Mr Khan to other security officials on June 25 had warned of an intelligence input that said “terrorists have been directed to eliminate 100 to 150 pilgrims and about 200 police officers and officials.” The letter said the attack could target a Yatra convoy “which they believe will result in flaring of communal tensions throughout the nation.” The police officer said in the letter that further corroboration was needed but an attack could not be ruled out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was “pained beyond words”, tweeted last night: “India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate.”

The attack is “an assault on our values and traditions”, said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, adding: “The head of every Kashmiri hangs in shame.”

About 100,000 pilgrims have already completed the journey to the Amarnath shrine that began late last month and is due to end in late August. The journey begins from Jammu, which is 200 km from the shrine.</s>SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Thousands of Hindus continued a religious pilgrimage in Indian-controlled Kashmir under heightened security on Tuesday a day after gunmen killed seven pilgrims and wounded 19 others before fleeing in the night.

Police said the gunmen first attacked an armored police vehicle and a police patrol Monday night. Police returned fire in both incidents and the gunmen responded before bullets struck the bus carrying 60 Hindus returning from paying obeisance at the shrine inside the mostly Muslim region.

Several people who were wounded said the attackers fired at the bus from three directions for nearly five minutes. They said the driver kept driving the bus as it was being struck with bullets near the southern town of Anantnag on the main highway linking Kashmir with the rest of India.

The annual summer pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine takes place under heavy security already. Opponents of Indian rule in Kashmir accuse Hindu-majority India of using the pilgrimage as a political statement to bolster its claim to the disputed region.

Thousands of Indian army and paramilitary soldiers are deployed on the route to the cave shrine high in the Himalayas each summer. The bus was violating nighttime travel restrictions imposed because security patrols are withdrawn after sunset, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

More security was provided Tuesday for the buses that carry pilgrims to base camps where they start walking up a mountain path to the Amarnath cave.

Police were still searching for the assailants Tuesday. They have blamed Muslim militants but no group has claimed responsibility. Three top separatist leaders in Kashmir have condemned the attack.

Officials say most of the wounded pilgrims were released from hospitals after overnight treatment. The seven bodies were airlifted to New Delhi for the journey to the pilgrims' home states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in western India.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that "India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate."

Separatist leaders demanded an independent investigation into the attack on pilgrims, which is rare in this insurgency-wracked region.

"This incident goes against the very grain of Kashmiri ethos," three top separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammed Yasin Malik said in a joint statement in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The Press Trust of India said the last major attack on Amarnath pilgrims occurred in 2000 when gunmen struck in the Pahalgam area and killed 30 people, including some local porters who carry the baggage of pilgrims on the mountain path.</s>Seven Amarnath pilgrims, including five women, were killed and 15 injured when militants attacked a bus carrying at least 56 passengers at Botengo village near Anantnag, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, in South Kashmir on Monday evening. According to reports, most of the victims are from Gujarat.

The attack took place near a security camp on the national highway. A J&K Police spokesman said that at around 8:10 pm, militants first attacked a police bunker at Botengo. “There was retaliatory fire. No injuries were reported. The militants then opened fire at a police naka at Khanabal, and the police returned fire again,” said the spokesman.

“A tourist bus was hit by bullets, and about 18 were injured. Six of them died, while the others are undergoing treatment,” said the spokesman. He said the bus, with a Gujarat numberplate, GJ09Z0976, was on its way from Baltal to Jammu, and was not part of the yatra convoy.

Additional Director General, CRPF, J&K Zone, Sachchidanand Shrivastav told The Indian Express that seven pilgrims were killed in the attack. “There were around 60 people in the bus which came under attack. The bus was coming from Baltal and had reached Botengo when the attack took place. Many other pilgrims are injured, several have suffered serious injuries,’’ he said.

A senior police officer told The Indian Express that the pilgrims had not registered themselves with the authorities. “The main convoy had already crossed the Jawahar Tunnel at the time of attack,” he said.

“The yatris were esteemed guests of Kashmir and the perpetrators have dealt a death blow to the ethos and culture of the state,” said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who rushed to the spot. “It is a gruesome attack, not only on unsuspecting guests, but a brazen attack on Kashmir and Kashmiriyat… All of us shall have to rise against this scourge of violence, the sooner the better,” she said.

Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone…My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured. India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks & the evil designs of hate.” He added that he had spoken to Mehbooba and assured all possible assistance.

One of the injured, Amit, who identified himself as a cook on the bus, told officials at the district hospital in Anantnag that firing took place for 40-60 seconds. “Bullets started coming from everywhere. Everybody was crying. I saw many passengers were lying in a pool of blood. We were on our way from Baltal to Jammu,” he told them.

Earlier in the evening, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Muneer Khan, who also rushed to the spot, said six pilgrims had died. “Let me find out the exact situation on the ground,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police Special Operations Group have launched a combing operation in the area, and a high alert has been declared on the entire highway.

Security has been beefed up at the Jammu base camp too. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called a meeting at South Block, which was attended by top officials from Home, Defence and Intelligence agencies. Officials said there was no immediate plan to call off the yatra.

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At least 7 people are killed and 15 injured after gunmen fire upon a pilgrimage bus and a police vehicle, on the 11th day of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage in the Indian city of Anantnag. The attack is believed to be terror-related.