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{{Short description|Mass murder of Hindu pilgrims}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2017 Amarnath Yatra attack
| partof = [[Kashmir conflict]]
| image =
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| alt =
| caption =
| map =
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| location = [[Anantnag district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Bus Carrying Slain Amarnath Pilgrims Was Not Part Of Official Convoy, Yatris Not Registered: Reports |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/bus-carrying-slain-amarnath-pilgrims-was-not-part-of-official-co_in_5c11efb4e4b0508b21360f92 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>
| target = Bus carrying pilgrims<ref name=Threearrested/>
| coordinates =
| date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2017|07|10}}
| time = Night
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| type = [[Mass shooting]]
| fatalities = 8
| injuries = 18
| victims = [[Hindu]] pilgrims
| perpetrators= [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]]<ref name=refuses/>
| assailants = 4 [[Lashkar-e-Taiba|LeT]] attackers; three logistics providers<ref name=Threearrested/>
| weapons =
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| motive =
| inquiry =
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| accused = '''Attackers, all killed:''' Abu Ismail (mastermind)<ref name=toi2/> Yawar Bashir Furqan Maawiya<ref name="3LeT"/> '''Logistic support, all arrested:''' Bilal Ahmed Reshi Aizaj Wagey Zahoor Ahmed<ref name=Threearrested/>
| convicted =
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| convictions =
| module =
}}

{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}

On 10 July 2017, the first Monday of the month of [[Shraavana]], 8 [[Hindu]] civilian pilgrims (seven of whom were women), en route from [[Amarnath Temple]] in [[Kashmir Valley]] ([[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]), were killed in an Islamist terror attack.<ref name=terr4>[https://www.thequint.com/news/2017/07/10/anantnag-terrorist-attack 8 Dead in the Biggest Terror Attack on Amarnath Yatra in Years.], [https://www.thequint.comThe Quint]{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 11 July 2017.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaleel |first=Muzamil |date=2017-07-11 |title=Why Amarnath Yatra terror attack signals crossing of a red line in Kashmir |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-why-attack-signals-crossing-of-a-red-line-in-kashmir-4744955/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The pilgrims mostly belonged to the Indian state of [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/terror-attack-on-amarnath-pilgrims-10-key-updates/articleshow/59545407.cms|title=Terror attack on amarnath pilgrims|website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=11 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="abu1">{{Cite web |last=Munshi |first=Suhas |date=2017-07-11 |title=Abu Ismail, Man Who Could be LeT Boss, in Crosshairs for Amarnath Attack |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-abu-ismail-the-man-who-could-be-let-boss-in-cross-hairs-1457911.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> At least 19 others were injured in the attack.<ref name="huff1">{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Adrija |date=2017-07-11 |title=A Look At The Bloody History Of Terror Attacks On Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/a-look-back-at-the-bloody-history-of-terror-attacks-on-amarnath_in_5c11efbbe4b0508b21361024 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

== Background ==
[[File:Amarnath_Yatra_-Jammu_%26_Kashmir.jpg|thumb|300px|left|[[Amarnath Temple#Yatra (pilgrimage) details and routes|Amarnath Yatra]] in the glacial heights of [[Himalayas]] in the [[Kashmir Valley]].]]
The 48-day July–August annual Hindu pilgrimage, undertaken by up to 600,000 or more pilgrims to the {{convert|130|ft}}-high glacial Amarnath cave shrine of [[stalagmite|iced stalagmite]] [[Lingam|Shiv linga]] at {{convert|12756|ft}} in [[Himalayas]], is called ''[[Amarnath Temple#Yatra (pilgrimage) details and routes|Amarnath Yatra]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=bhole bhandari charitable trust provides and furnish full information about amarnath yatra in india |url=http://www.amarnathyatra.org/yatra.htm |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=www.amarnathyatra.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Amarnath Yatra Tourism Information |url=http://www.oneindiaonline.com/amarnath-yatra-tourism.php |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=One India Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Paula |date=2012-07-13 |title=Amarnath: Journey to the shrine of a Hindu god |url=http://archive.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/07/amarnath_journey_to_the_shrine.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=Boston.com |language=en}}</ref> It begins with a {{convert|43|km}} mountainous trek from the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps at [[Pahalgam]] and reaches the cave-shrine after night halts at [[Sheshnag Lake]] and [[Panchtarni]] camps.<ref name="camps1">{{Cite news |date=2016-08-18 |title=Amarnath yatra ends, least number of pilgrims in decade |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Amarnath-yatra-ends-least-number-of-pilgrims-in-decade/article14576514.ece |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The yatra is both a way of earning revenue by the state government by imposing tax on pilgrims,<ref name="bjp1">{{Cite news |date=2010-06-18 |title=Remove entry fee on buses to Vaishno Devi, Amarnath: BJP |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Remove-entry-fee-on-buses-to-Vaishno-Devi-Amarnath-BJP/articleshow/6064803.cms |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and a way of making a living for the local [[Bakarwal|Shia Muslim Bakarwal-Gujjars]] by taking a portion of the revenue and by offering services to the Hindu pilgrims, and this source of income has been threatened by the Islamist Kashmiri Sunni militant groups who have banned and attacked the yatra numerous times,<ref name=mus1>{{cite book|author=Carl W. Ernst|title=Refractions of Islam in India: Situating Sufism and Yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AzzUDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT211|year=2016|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-93-5150-964-6|page=211}}</ref><ref name="SufiShia">{{Cite news |date=2016-07-17 |title=Muslim group asks for reviving Amarnath Yatra |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Muslim-group-asks-for-reviving-Amarnath-Yatra/articleshow/53247175.cms |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=harkatban>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jul/09kash.htm |title=Rediff On The NeT: Harkatul Mujaheedin 'bans' Amarnath Yatra |work=Rediff.com |date=9 July 1998 |access-date=2013-04-15}}</ref> as well as by recent massacres of at least 59 people prior to July 2017 on this yatra, causing the deaths of mostly Hindu pilgrims, in addition to at least 10 Muslim civilians, and several Muslims in the security forces.<ref name=shesh2/><ref name="oneind1">{{Cite news |last=Nanjappa |first=Vicky |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath yatra has been attacked thrice in the past |url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/amarnath-yatra-has-been-attacked-thrice-the-past-2491675.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=One India}}</ref><ref name="annual1">{{Cite news |date=2017-07-11 |title=Live: Amarnath yatra attack condemnation reflects Kashmiriyat: Rajnath |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amarnath-yatra-attack-follow-up/article19256586.ece |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=ind1/><ref name=kh1/>

===Previous massacres===
{{See also|2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre}}
Prior to this incident, Islamist terrorists attacked the Amaranath yatra at least 3 times, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, killing at least 54 Hindu pilgrims and injuring at least another 105 people, all unarmed, as well as resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Muslim civilian support service providers and at least 6 security personnel.<ref name=shesh2/><ref name=oneind1/><ref name=kh1/><ref name=tribjk1/><ref name=fp1/>

On 2 August 2000, [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] (designated a terrorist organisation by [[India]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|title=Ministry of Home Affairs:: BANNED ORGANISATIONS|date=29 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129051543/http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|archive-date=2013-01-29|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> [[European Union]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32015D2430|title=COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/2430 of 21 December 2015|website=eur-lex.europa.eu|access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> and [[United States]],<ref>{{cite news|title=US adds 4 Indian outfits to terror list|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/apr/30us1.htm|access-date=13 May 2015|publisher=Rediff|date=30 April 2004}}</ref>) [[2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre#2000 Amarnath pilgrim massacre at Pahalgam base camp|massacred at least 32 Hindu pilgrims and injured at least 60 people]] in a two-hour long indiscriminate shoot-out at the Nunwan base camp in [[Anantnag district]], causing the deaths of 21 Hindu pilgrims and 7 unarmed Muslim shopkeepers as well as three security force officers.<ref name=oneind1/> This attack on Amarnath yatra was part of the larger [[2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre|1 and 2 August 2000 Kashmir massacre]] in 5 separate coordinated terrorist attacks that killed at least 89 (official count) to 105 people (as reported by [[Press Trust of India|PTI]]), and injured at least 62 more.<ref name="tribjk1">{{Cite web |date=2000-08-02 |title=Night of massacres leaves 105 dead in valley |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com:443/2000/20000803/main1.htm |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Tribune India}}</ref>

On 20 July 2001, a terrorist threw two grenades and fired indiscriminately on a pilgrim night camp at Sheshnag Lake en route Amarnath shrine, killing at least 13 and injured another 15 people. Those killed included 5 Hindu male pilgrims, 3 Hindu female pilgrims, 3 Muslim civilians providing support services to pilgrims, and 2 members of the security forces.<ref name="shesh2">{{Cite web |last=Fazili |first=Ehsan |date=2001-07-21 |title=6 pilgrims among 13 killed in 2 blasts |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com:443/2001/20010722/main1.htm |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=[[Tribune India]]}}</ref><ref name=oneind1/><ref name="fp1">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath Yatra devotees have faced repeated terror attacks: Here's the blood-soaked history of pilgrimage |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/amarnath-yatra-devotees-have-faced-repeated-terror-attacks-heres-the-blood-soaked-history-of-pilgrimage-3799091.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref>

On 6 August 2002, terrorists from al-Mansuriyan, a front group of the [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], massacred 9 pilgrims and injured 30 near the Nunwan pilgrimage base camp.<ref name=oneind1/><ref name="kh1">{{Cite web |date=April 2003 |title=Chronology of Major Killings in Jammu and Kashmir |url=http://www.kashmirherald.com/apr2003/jkmassacres.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Kashmir Herald}}</ref>

On 7 July 2017, terrorists attacked a civilian bus that was on the [[Baltal, Jammu and Kashmir|Baltal]]-[[Jammu]] route where vehicles are not allowed after 7 p.m. A tyre of the bus was punctured, taking several hours to repair. Pilgrims are not allowed to travel on the route without road-opening parties and security escorts which were withdrawn at around 7:30 p.m. due to the curfew. The bus was not registered with the Amarnath shrine board. Seven pilgrims were killed and 32 others, including security forces, were injured.<ref name="ind1">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath terror attack survivor narrates tale of punctured bus tyre and terrorist strike |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amarnath-yatra-terrorist-attack-kashmir-tyre-puncture-1023541-2017-07-10 |website=India Today}}</ref>

==Attack==
After the arrests of three locals described as "co-conspirators" in August 2017 who had provided logistical support to the attackers, Munir Khan, [[Inspector General of Police|IGP]] (Kashmir), stated that four [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] militants were involved in it. He said they had planned to carry out an attack a day earlier but there was no movement of [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] or Amarnath pilgrim vehicle in isolation. He stated it was purely an act of terrorism carried out with the motive of spreading fear. He added that a pilgrim vehicle was there on the day of the attack so they attacked it, had it been a CRPF vehicle, they would have attacked it as well. He further clarified that the attack was first aimed at the police post in the area but unfortunately the bus also came under attack.<ref name="Threearrested">{{Cite news |date=2017-08-06 |title=Three arrested for attack on Amarnath yatris: IGP Kashmir Munir Khan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/three-arrested-for-attack-on-amarnath-yatris-igp-kashmir-munir-khan/articleshow/59941109.cms |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2017-08-06 |title=Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba behind Amarnath terror attack: J&K police |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/oVrG6Sb9lQQ8tfeGZrn3XK/Pakistanbased-LashkareTaiba-behind-Amarnath-terror-attack.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Livemint}}</ref>

The security agencies had earlier investigated whether the bus was the target or was it incidental.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sudhi Ranjan |date=2017-07-12 |title=Was Amarnath pilgrim bus original target of Anantnag attack? Cops wade through maze of clues |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/amarnath-terror-attack-police-wades-through-clues-1023756-2017-07-12 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Earlier according to IGP of Kashmir range Munir Khan and a statement by the [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]], the gunmen had first attacked a police bunker in Botengo which was retaliated, without any casualties being caused in the exchange of fire. Munir added that the gunmen later attacked a police post at [[Khanabal]] with the fire being returned and the bus carrying the pilgrims being caught in the crossfire, with seven pilgrims being killed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Rajnish |last2=Jameel |first2=Yusuf |date=2017-07-12 |title=J&K says Lashkar behind attack, security review on |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/120717/jk-says-lashkar-behind-attack-security-review-on.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Asian Age |language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]], the gunmen had first fired at a combined picket of CRPF and state police, after which they attacked the bus and later fired upon a camp at Arwani. The investigative report of the state police's [[Crime Investigation Department (India)|CID]] contradicted this, suggesting that the bus was attacked by two sets of terrorists, first at a petrol pump in Batingu at 8:17 p.m and again a few minutes later after which the bus was escorted by a police patrol van to police lines in Anantnag.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Abhishek |date=2017-07-12 |title=Jammu and Kashmir CID report varies from CRPF version |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jammu-and-kashmir-cid-report-varies-from-crpf-version-2499366 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref>

The white coloured bus number plated (GJ09Z9979) at which the firing took place carried about 50 pilgrims. It was reported by the Indian media that the attack was carried out by 3-5 terrorists at the location of [[Khanabal]].<ref name="crpf1">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-10 |title=Terror Attack on Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims: How it Unfolded |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/terror-attack-on-amarnath-yatra-pilgrims-how-it-unfolded-1457449.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=terr3/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-07-11 |title=Terror attack on Amarnath yatra: 7 pilgrims killed, 19 injured in Anantnag |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/terror-attack-on-amarnath-yatra-7-pilgrims-killed-in-anantnag-117071001273_1.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref><ref name="today1">{{cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath attack: How the hero bus driver drove through bullets to save many lives |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amarnath-yatra-attack-bus-driver-jammu-and-kashmir-1023599-2017-07-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170712060940/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amarnath-yatra-attack-bus-driver-jammu-and-kashmir/1/999232.html |archive-date=12 July 2017 |access-date=12 July 2017 |website=India Today}}</ref> Although the bus contained more than 50 people, a larger number of casualties was prevented to a great extent due to the actions of the bus driver, Saleem Mirza.<ref name="Mirza">{{cite web |date=2017-07-12 |title=God gave me strength': Amarnath bus driver Saleem Mirza who was hailed a hero |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/god-gave-me-strength-amarnath-bus-driver-who-kept-going-despite-the-terrorist-attack/story-iclxOE5MYTCTtbJd0KaojK.html |access-date=12 July 2017 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Despite the bus being fired on by the bullets in all directions, the bus driver continued driving the bus in a calm manner for about 1 km before stopping at an intersection.<ref name="today1"/> The [[Inspector General of Police|Inspector General]] of CRPF in Kashmir, Muneer Khan, said that [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], allegedly founded by [[Hafiz Muhammad Saeed|Hafiz Saeed]] was behind the attack.<ref name="tn1">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath Yatra Attack: LeT commander responsible behind attack, says IG; bodies of victims reach Surat |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/video/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-vaishnodevi-shrine-terrorist-jammu-and-kashmir/65571 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Times Now News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="fp11">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath Yatra attack highlights: Centre announces Rs seven lakh compensation for kin of those killed |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/amarnath-yatra-terrorist-attack-live-pilgrimage-to-continue-uninterrupted-today-as-political-parties-call-for-jammu-bandh-rajnath-narendra-modi-kashmir-3798917.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref>

Seven pilgrims from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana, including six women were killed in the attack.<ref name=terr3/><ref name=terr5/> Another pilgrim succumbed to her injuries on 16 July.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-07-16 |title=Amarnath Terror Attack: Pilgrim Dies in Hospital, Number of Deaths Now 8 |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amarnath-terror-attack-pilgrim-dies-in-hospital-number-of-deaths-now-8-1725345 |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=NDTV}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
The bodies of the seven Amarnath pilgrims killed in the terror attack in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] were brought to [[Gujarat]]'s [[Surat]] airport along with the injured and their family members in an Indian Air Force plane. The [[Government of Gujarat]] announced a compensation of {{INR convert|600000}} for the relatives of every killed victims and {{INR convert|200000}} for the injured victims. Subsequently, the [[Government of India]] announced compensation of {{INR convert|700000}} for the killed victims and {{INR convert|100000}} for the injured victims.<ref name="rediff1">{{cite web |date=11 July 2017 |title=Latest updates on the Amarnath Yatra terror attack |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/amarnath-yatra-attack-latest-updates/20170711.htm |access-date=11 July 2017 |publisher=Rediff}}</ref>

[[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] State Chief Minister paid a visit to the injured victims of the attack at the hospital. During her visit she spoke to Indian media she said the attack is a "Blot on all Muslims and Kashmiri" and the "Head of every Kashmiri hangs in shame over the incident". She further said that she have no words to condemn the terror attack.<ref name="today1"/>

Bus driver Saleem Mirza who was hailed as a hero due to his act of bravery spoke to Indian media and said "God gave me strength to save lives of people". The Government of [[Gujarat]]'s Chief Minister [[Vijay Rupani]] thanked Mirza as he saved lives despite heavy firing. Rupani informed the Indian media that the Government of Gujarat will nominate Mirza for the bravery award with the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Mirza"/>

Police officials stated, that the attack was carried out by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] and the attack was masterminded by a [[Pakistani]] terrorist named Abu Ismail, a local LeT commander who is also thought to be the future successor of Abu Dujana, Lashkar's chief commander in Kashmir. He was also assisted by some Kashmiri militants. A manhunt was launched by security forces to capture Ismail.<ref name="abu1" />

=== Security forces' action ===
Security forces, including J&K Police and [[Paramilitary forces of India|Central Paramilitary forces of India]], jointly intensified the [[cordon and search]] grid-based ongoing ''"Operation Hunt Down"'' to track and kill the LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists placed on the identified "hit list", and had already killed 102 terrorists from 1 January to 14 July 2017, including the extermination of terrorists responsible for the killing of seven J&K Police cops and the [[Nowhatta Mob Lynching 2017|lynching of DSP Ayub Pandith]], while a colossal hunt was on for mastermind of terrorist attack on Amarnath Yatra, [[Lashkar-e-Taiba|LeT]] commander ''Abu Ismail''.<ref name="toi2">{{Cite news |date=2017-07-14 |title=Security forces killed 102 terrorists in J&K in 7 months, more on hit list |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/security-forces-killed-102-terrorists-in-jk-in-7-months-more-on-hit-list/articleshow/59598301.cms |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

All overground {{clarify|date=October 2024}} workers who had provided logistic support to the terrorists had been identified by 24 July.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-07-14 |title=Lashkar-e-Taiba 'over ground workers' who aided Amarnath attack identified: JK Police |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lashkar-e-taiba-over-ground-workers-who-aided-amarnath-attack-identified-police-4765320/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> All of them had been arrested by 27 July.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-08-01 |title=All OGWs involved in Amarnath yatra attack arrested, militants identified |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/all-ogws-involved-in-amarnath-yatra-attack-arrested-militants-identified/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=Daily Excelsior}}</ref> Abu Ismail, the main accused, was killed along with an associate Abu Kassim on 14 September by security forces in [[Nowgam]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rashid |first=Toufiq |date=15 September 2017 |title=Amarnath attack mastermind Abu Ismail among two Lashkar terrorists killed in Kashmir |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarnath-attack-mastermind-abu-ismail-could-be-among-two-militants-killed-in-kashmir-sources/story-31XOdXktjwTczkjSkogX5L.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Yawar Basir, Furqan and Abu Maviya were killed on 5 December.<ref name="3LeT">{{Cite news |date=2017-12-05 |title=3 LeT terrorists involved in Amarnath Yatra attack killed in encounter in Kashmir |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-in-south-kashmir/articleshow/61925047.cms |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
''Rediff'' reported the attack as the worst attack carried out on the annual pilgrimage since 2001.<ref name="rediff1"/>

The attack was condemned by many including Prime Minister of India [[Narendra Modi]], Union Home Minister of India [[Rajnath Singh]], Chief Minister of J&K [[Mehbooba Mufti]], National Conference party leader [[Omar Abdullah]]. Several Organisations, such as [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|J&K National Conference]] (JKNC), [[Indian National Congress]], [[Vishwa Hindu Parishad]], [[Bhim Singh (politician)#Founding leader of Panthers Party.2C 1982|National Panthers Party]], etc. condemned the attack and called for a strike in Jammu Valley in protest against the attack. Also, Mobile and Internet services were suspended in Jammu region in view of the attack as a measure to prevent any kind of rumour mongering.<ref name="terr3">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-10 |title=Amarnath Yatra terror attack: Five women among seven killed; Ramnath Kovind condemns the attack |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-amarnath-pilgrims-killed-four-injured-in-terror-attack-in-anantnag-kashmir/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="terr5">{{Cite web |title=Live: Amarnath Yatra Terror Attack – 'We Will Be Back', Say Pilgrims |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/live-updates-amarnath-yatra-pilgrims-attacked-by-terrorists-in-anantnag-7-killed-1723052 |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=NDTV}}</ref><ref name="terr1">{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Terrorists attack bus in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district, kill seven Amarnath pilgrims |url=https://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/seven-amarnath-yatris-killed-in-terror-attack-in-jks-anantnag-2022721.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Shraddhanjali(2).jpg|thumb|Protest in Gujarat]]

The local political party (Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee)'s president, G A Mir, condemned the attack and described it as shocking and highly shameful. More than 200 activists of the JKPCC thronged the Rehari belt of Jammu city and held protests against the killing of pilgrims. They raised anti-government and anti-[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] slogans and demanded that the government should be sacked.<ref name="rediff1"/>
[[File:Shraddhanjali.jpg|thumb|Protest in Gujarat]]

Protesters in the [[Jammu Division]] burnt [[Pakistani]] flags in protest of the terrorist attack. They expressed a lack of confidence in the [[Mehbooba Mufti]] government and demanded the imposition of [[Governor's Rule]] in the State.<ref name="rediff1"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Amarnath Yatra terror attack: Protests rock Jammu against killing of pilgrims |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-protests-rock-jammu-against-killing-of-pilgrims/759135/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Financial Express |language=en}}</ref> After being blamed for the attack by the police, a LeT spokesman condemned the attack and termed it un-Islamic. They denied they were involved in the attack, blaming it instead on the Indian intelligence agencies.<ref name="refuses">{{Cite web |last=Jameel |first=Yusuf |date=11 July 2017 |title=LeT denies Amarnath attack charge; blames Indian intel |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/110717/let-refuses-amarnath-attacks-responsibility-blames-indian-intelligence.html |website=The Asian Age}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=Lashkar condemns attack on Amarnath pilgrims, calls it 'reprehensible, unIslamic' |url=https://kashmirvision.in/2017/07/11/lashkar-e-toiba-condemns-attack-on-amarnath-pilgrims-calls-it-reprehensible-unislamic/ |access-date=11 July 2017 |website=Kashmir Vision}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre]]
* [[2003 Nadimarg massacre]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents in India]]
* [[List of massacres in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com}}
* [http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/07/amarnath_journey_to_the_shrine.html Amarnath: Journey to the shrine of a Hindu god], ''[[Boston Globe]]'' news story in pictures, 13 July 2012.
* [http://www.kashmirherald.com/apr2003/jkmassacres.html Chronology of Major Killings in Jammu and Kashmir.]

{{Kashmir conflict}}
{{coord missing|Jammu and Kashmir}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amarnath Yatra attack}}
[[Category:2017 murders in India]]
[[Category:2010s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:July 2017 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2017]]
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[[Category:Massacres in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2017]]
[[Category:July 2017 in India]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2017]]
[[Category:Lashkar-e-Taiba attacks]]
[[Category:Anantnag district]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents on buses in India]]
[[Category:2017 road incidents in Asia]]
[[Category:2017 mass shootings in Asia]]
[[Category:Mass shootings in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murders in India]]
[[Category:Violence against women in India]]
[[Category:Massacres in India]]

2017 Amarnath Yatra massacre - Revision history

Cristine5684 at 08:10, 14 December 2025