Why the militant attack on pilgrims is a worrying turn for the Jammu region
Scroll.inJun 11
India: Terrorist Attack Kills At Least 9 Hindu Pilgrims
Image copyright: Yawar Nazir/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
At least nine people were killed and 33 injured after suspected Islamic terrorists opened fire at a bus in the Reasi district of India-controlled Kashmir's Jammu province on Sunday.
According to the police, the bus, which lost control and fell into a deep gorge after its driver was hit, was carrying Hindu pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi
The Spin
Narrative A
Instead of bringing peace, India's move to rescind the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir's autonomy and downgrade it to a union territory has revived terrorism in the region. This shameful incident accurately reflects the worrying security situation in an area widely considered militancy-free.
Narrative B
The attack is part of a nefarious design to spread unrest in Jammu & Kashmir after India successfully cracked down on militancy and separatist support systems in the region. It was likely a response by disgruntled terrorists to disrupt peace at a time when Narendra Modi was set to take oath as prime minister for a third straight term.
