Faith Wins Over Reasi Terror: Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Crosses Record 51 Lakh Mark, 11 Lakh In June

Jammu: Despite the Reasi terror attack which claimed nine lives including that of a child, the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi has been visited by more than 51 lakh pilgrims so far this year, signifying victory of faith over terror. 

The statistics for June 2024 alone showed that over 11 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the Holy Cave in the Katra region of Reasi district which witnessed a deadly terror attack (Reasi) on June 9, making it the highest footfall in a decade.

Speaking exclusively to Republic, the official spokesperson of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine Board confirmed that the pilgrimage crossed the 51-lakh mark on June 30 as around 51,46,646 pilgrims visited the shrine in the first half of 2024. 

Furnishing breakout of visitors, the official added that 6.16 lakh pilgrims visited the Shrine in January, 4.32 lakh in February, 8.61 lakh in March, 9.55 lakh in April, 11.64 lakh in May and 11.15 lakh in June. 

“With this much pilgrimage, we expect Yatra to match the records of 2011 and 2012 when Yatra crossed the one crore mark only twice in the history till date. All adequate arrangements including the security grid are in place for safe and smooth conduct of pilgrimage for those coming from different parts of the country.”

No Dip In Pilgrimage Despite Reasi Horror

The cave shrine of Vaishno Devi witnessed no fall in the number of pilgrims even after terrorists planned to create fear among them by carrying out the deadly terror attack on June 9. 

Of the 11 lakh pilgrims who paid obeisance at Holy Cave in June, more than 65 per cent of them came after June 9, the official told Republic. 

Nine civilians were killed and over 40 were injured in the terror attack in the Pouni area of the Reasi district. The terrorists fired upon a vehicle carrying pilgrims of Shiv Khori Shrine on the evening of June 9, causing the bus to fall into a deep gorge after being hit by a series of bullets.

NIA Probes Reasi Terror Attack Case

A week after the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered an FIR under sections 302 & 307 of IPC, 7 & 27 of the Arms Act and 16, 18 and 20 of UAPA on June 15 following the approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), 

The probe is headed by the Additional SP rank officer of the anti-terror agency. The agency carried out raids at five locations of terror associate Hakam Din, who was arrested by Reasi Police for helping terrorists involved in the terror attack, on Sunday.