A man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly harbouring and assisting terrorists involved in the June 9 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials reported.
The attack resulted in the deaths of nine people, including seven pilgrims from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, leaving 41 others injured.
The terrorists opened fire on the bus as it was returning from the Shiv Khori shrine in the Pouni area, causing the 53-seater vehicle to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma, identified the arrested individual as 45-year-old Hakim Din.
“This person was involved in harbouring terrorists multiple times. Along with providing food and shelter, he also acted as a guide and helped them reach the spot of the incident,” she told reporters.
SSP Sharma described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the case.
“The arrested person is a prime militant associate who helped the terrorists in the execution of the attack. Further interrogation and investigation into the case are ongoing,” she added.
More than 150 people have been questioned in connection with the attack, the SSP stated.
During interrogation Din revealed that three terrorists had been living in his house and had paid him Rs 6,000, which has been recovered from him.
According to sources, his wife and son have been taken into custody for further questioning.
Security forces in Jammu are grappling with resurgence in terrorism as multiple attacks have rocked the region in recent weeks. The violence has predominantly targeted civilians.
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