Katra-Jammu bus catches fire, all passengers safe

Jammu: A bus ferrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims from the holy shrine in Katra to Jammu caught fire near Bayin Nala on Katra-Jammu road Friday. The alert bus driver, however, swiftly deboarded all passengers, ensuring that none was injured, Reasi Police said.
“The fire broke out suddenly around 3.10pm when the bus neared Nomain Naka on the busy route. Panic gripped passengers but the driver’s prompt response of pulling over immediately allowed for quick evacuation before flames engulfed the vehicle,” a Reasi Police official said.Local cops and firefighting personnel rushed to the spot to douse the flames and assist passengers.
Officials said the blaze originated from the engine. “Initial reports hint at a possible mechanical malfunction. Investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the fire,” a policeman said.
On May 13, 2022, four devotees died while 22 others were injured when a bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims from Katra to Jammu caught fire near Kharmal, 1.5km away from Katra. The accident was later found to be an act of sabotage when a terror group, J&K Freedom Fighters, claimed responsibility for the attack using sticky bombs.
On Feb 2, 2023, Arif, a govt schoolteacher-turned-terrorist affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba was arrested for allegedly carrying out multiple blasts, including one in a bus transporting Vaishno Devi pilgrims. During interrogation, Arif told cops that he had planted two sticky bombs (each weighing 450g) beneath a seat in the bus, right above the petrol tank, to ensure maximum casualties.