Educational institutions shut, internet suspended in Jammu

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday closed all educational institutions and suspended internet facility here to maintain law and order in the aftermath of the Amarnath terror attack.

Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others were injured on Monday when terrorists sprayed bullets at a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims in Ananatnag district.

A senior police officer told IANS: "All educational institutions in Jammu district shall remain shut today (Tuesday) as a precautionary measure."

Six women and a man were killed in the Amarnath attack in Khanabal area of Srinagar-Jammu highway, around 55 km from Srinagar.

All slain pilgrims belonged to Gujarat.

Police spokesman Manoj Pandita said all the injured were stable.

"Internet services have also been suspended in the district till further orders," the police officer said.

The National Conference (NC) has called for a Jammu Bandh on Tuesday to protest the attack on innocent pilgrims.

Speaking to IANS here, NC provincial President Devender Rana said: "Nothing more unfortunate could have happened. It is a terror attack carried out by those who believe in no religion or humanity."

"The purpose of the attack is to whip up communal passions and that is what all of us have to guard against. We are deeply shocked by the attack and demand that those responsible be brought to justice."

"It must also be probed as to how the unguarded bus of 'yatris' was allowed to move on the highway that is heavily patrolled and protected," Rana said.