Tragedy Strikes Vaishno Devi Pilgrims: Saini Family Torn Apart by Terror Attack

Three children await their parents' return from a Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, unaware the couple died in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Nine lives were lost, including their parents Rajendra and Mamta. Efforts are underway to support the orphaned children financially.

The three children of Mamta and Rajendra Saini eagerly await their parents' return from a Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, unaware of the couple's death in a terrorism-related incident in Jammu and Kashmir.

The children, including two boys and a girl, were misled to believe their parents were injured in a road accident and were being transported to Jaipur for treatment, a relative disclosed.

Rajendra Saini (42), a cloth merchant, his wife Mamta (40), their relative Pooja Saini (30), and her two-year-old son Titu, were among the nine victims killed when terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district at approximately 6.10 pm on Sunday.

The 53-seater bus, traveling from Shiv Khori temple to Katra, lost control and plunged into a deep ravine near the Teryath village in Poni area following the gunfire.

Pooja's husband Pavan (32) was injured in the attack, a police officer confirmed.

While Rajendra and Mamta resided in Chomu town near Jaipur, Pavan and Pooja lived in Ajmera ki Dhani on Chomu Road. The tragic news left residents of both areas in shock.

“Initially, we thought it was an accident after the bus fell into a ditch. Today, we learned it was a terrorist attack,” a relative of Rajendra revealed.

Another relative added, “Rajendra's children still don't know the truth. They are under the impression their parents are just injured and being brought here. Rajendra was the family's sole breadwinner.”

In Ajmera ki Dhani, just several kilometers from Chomu, Pooja and her two-year-old child are mourned deeply. Pooja had been married to Pawan, who runs an e-Mitra shop in the village, for four years.

Chomu Tehsildar Vijaypal reported that post-mortem examinations were conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, and the bodies were to be transported to Jaipur. The affected families will receive benefits from various state government schemes and financial assistance according to Rajasthan government norms, he assured.