India investigates attack by suspected militants in Kashmir that killed 9 on Hindu pilgrimage

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Suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir’s Jammu province fired at a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims on Sunday and at least nine were killed after the vehicle fell into a deep gorge, officials said.

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A forensic official inspects a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, June 10, 2024. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack killing at least nine people. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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Indian army soldiers patrol the area where a bus fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, June 10, 2024. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack killing at least nine people. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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Activists of right-wing Hindu groups reacting to Sunday’s suspected militant attack on Hindu pilgrims in Indian-controlled Kashmir, burn an effigy of terrorism during a protest in Ahmedabad, India, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. A bus carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi was fired at by suspected militants on Sunday causing the vehicle to fall into a deep gorge, killing nine and injuring 33. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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An injured man is brought to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu after the bus he was traveling in fell into a deep gorge in the Pouni area of Jammu’s Reasi district, India, Sunday, June 9, 2024. Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir say at least nine people have been killed after suspected militants fired at a bus with Hindu pilgrims, which then fell into a deep gorge. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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Activists of right-wing Hindu groups reacting to Sunday’s suspected militant attack on Hindu pilgrims in Indian-controlled Kashmir, shout slogans during a protest in Ahmedabad, India, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. A bus carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi was fired at by suspected militants on Sunday causing the vehicle to fall into a deep gorge, killing nine and injuring 33. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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Security men inspect a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after it was fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, June 10, 2024. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack killing at least nine people. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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The wreckage of a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, June 10, 2024. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack killing at least nine people. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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An injured woman is brought to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu after the bus she was traveling in fell into a deep gorge in the Pouni area of Jammu’s Reasi district, India, Sunday, June 9, 2024. Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir say at least nine people have been killed after suspected militants fired at a bus with Hindu pilgrims, which then fell into a deep gorge. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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NEW DELHI (AP) — India is investigating an attack in which suspected militants fired at a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing nine and injuring 33, officials said Monday.

The attack caused the vehicle to fall into a deep gorge Sunday in Jammu province’s Reasi district. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi.

A team from the National Investigation Agency has reached the site of the attack, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. Security forces also were trying to track down those suspected to be responsible.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha announced compensation of $11,975 each for families of those killed, as well as nearly $600 to those who were injured.

Federal minister Amit Shah said Sunday he was in touch with Sinha and the local administration was providing speedy medical attention. “The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law,” he posted on social media platform X.

A police officer said some of the victims had gunshot wounds and blamed the attack on Muslim militants who are fighting Indian rule in Kashmir. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which left 33 others injured.

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Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir’s independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.