Tragic Attack on Amarnath Pilgrims: A Look Back at the 2017 Incident

Overview of the 2017 Attack on Amarnath Pilgrims

On July 10, 2017, a tragic attack by terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir resulted in the deaths of eight individuals participating in the Amarnath Yatra. This incident marked the second time since 1990 that pilgrims in Kashmir were targeted. The assault was carried out by militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by a Pakistani national named Abu Ismail. Most of the victims hailed from the Indian state of Gujarat, with at least 19 others sustaining injuries.

Heroic Actions of the Bus Driver

Around 8:20 PM, a white bus (GJ09Z9979) carrying Amarnath pilgrims was en route from Srinagar to Jammu. This vehicle was not officially registered with the Amarnath Shrine Board and lacked police protection. As the bus approached Khanbal, 3-5 terrorists opened fire. Despite the chaos and darkness outside, the driver, Salim Sheikh, remained calm. One of the passengers, Yogesh Prajapati, recounted to a news channel how the quick-thinking driver saved many lives. Prajapati mentioned that as bullets flew around them, they ducked under their seats, but the driver did not panic and continued to drive. After traveling nearly a kilometer, he stopped the bus at an intersection.

Reactions from Officials

Among the deceased were five individuals from Gujarat and two from Maharashtra. At the time, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti described the attack as a "stain on all Muslims and Kashmiris." While visiting the injured at a local hospital, she expressed that the incident brought shame to every Kashmiri. She emphasized that pilgrims come to Kashmir every year despite numerous challenges, and she was at a loss for words to condemn the loss of seven lives. Mufti expressed hope that security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir police would swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and take stringent action against them.

The Amarnath Yatra: A Significant Pilgrimage

The annual Hindu pilgrimage, which takes place over 48 days in July and August, attracts over 600,000 devotees to the Amarnath cave temple, located at an altitude of 12,756 feet (3,888 meters). The temple features a 130-foot (40-meter) ice Shiva Lingam. The journey begins from the base camps at Nunwan and Chandanwari, covering a steep 43 kilometers (27 miles) and includes overnight stays at Sheshnag Lake and Panchtarni camps before reaching the cave temple.

Economic Impact and Security Concerns

This pilgrimage serves as a revenue-generating opportunity for the state government through taxes on pilgrims, while also providing income for local Shia Muslim Bakarwal-Gujjar communities by offering services to Hindu devotees. However, this source of income has been threatened by Islamist Kashmiri Sunni terrorist groups that have repeatedly attacked and imposed restrictions on the pilgrimage. Prior to July 2017, at least 59 individuals had lost their lives in various massacres, including many Hindu pilgrims, alongside at least 10 Muslim civilians and several security personnel.

Widespread Condemnation of the Attack

The attack was met with unanimous condemnation. Following the incident, the Home Minister remarked that the widespread outrage demonstrated the enduring spirit of Kashmiriyat, asserting that not every Kashmiri is a terrorist. Reports indicated that the state was caught in a cycle of increasing terrorist activities, with security forces and state police having neutralized 102 terrorists that year alone. A police official noted that this marked the highest number of killings in the first seven months of the year over the past seven years.