In a heartfelt public statement, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has voiced her condemnation against the recent terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 9th, when militants opened fire on a 53-seater bus transporting devotees from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The devastating attack resulted in the bus veering off into a gorge, leaving nine people dead and 41 injured.
Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram Stories to express her sorrow and incredulity over the event, describing it as a “heinous attack on innocent pilgrims” and questioning the targeting of civilians and children. “Devastated. This heinous attack on innocent pilgrims is horrific. Why civilians and children?! It’s so hard to comprehend the hatred we’re witnessing around the world,” Priyanka wrote, encapsulating the bewilderment and heartache felt by many.
The outpouring of grief and righteous indignation wasn’t limited to Priyanka alone. Several other Bollywood personalities also used their platforms to decry the senseless violence that shattered the peace of a religious pilgrimage. Kangana Ranaut, well-known for her outspoken nature, was quick to denounce the attack. “I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir,” Kangana wrote. “They were going for Vaishnodevi Darshan and terrorists opened fired them only because they were Hindus. I pray for the departed and hope for the swift recovery of the injured. Om shanti.”
Riteish Deshmukh also shared his sentiments, expressing his heartbreak and devastation over the incident. “Heart broken & devastated with the visuals of the Reasi terror attack.
. Prayers with the victims and families,” he said, echoing the pain that transcends personal and professional boundaries in times of national tragedy.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher conveyed his pain and anger: “Angry, Pained and Saddened by the cowardly attack on pilgrims in Reasi. Jammu! May Almighty give the loved ones of victims the strength to bear the pain and loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
In the aftermath of the attack, a large-scale cordon and search operation was aggressively set into motion by security forces to track down those responsible. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), State Investigation Agency (SIA), and Forensic department have all visited the site, commencing a thorough probe into the horrific act of terror.
According to officials, the attack occurred while the bus was journeying through the Poni area near Teryath village, an area that should have been a serene passage between the temples. As the bus traversed this path, assailants emerged, launching an unprovoked and ruthless assault that sent the bus plunging into a gorge, culminating in the grievous loss of life and numerous injuries.
The ramifications of the attack extended into the administrative arena as well. On the following Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, visited the injured victims at GMC and Narayana hospitals. There, he explicitly labeled the assault as part of a broader strategy to incite chaos and instability in the Jammu region, a threat he vowed to neutralize. The Director General of Police, along with high-ranking officials from the Army, will also make a visit to the site to gather firsthand assessments and show solidarity with the victims.
The attack has drawn unanimous condemnation from all corners of society, serving as another grim reminder of the perils of terrorism and its far-reaching impacts on innocent lives. Amid this backdrop of sorrow and defiance, the expressions of solidarity and condemnation from influential figures like Priyanka Chopra and other Bollywood stalwarts reflect a collective yearning for peace and justice.
As investigations proceed and security measures ramp up, the nation’s collective hope rests on bringing the perpetrators to justice and preventing such atrocities in the future. In these dark times, public figures using their platforms to raise awareness and compassion provide a semblance of comfort and unity to a nation in mourning.
(With input from Agencies)
