Taliban-style attack on Vaishno Devi pilgrims in J&K? Sticky bomb used, says BJP on Katra bus incident

A fire mysteriously breaks out on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims from Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir. 4 people die, 24 are injured.

Days after this incident caused alarm in the Union Territory, it appears that this was a terror attack. But more significantly, the possible modus operandi used is the same as Taliban in Afghanistan.

The fire on the bus near Katra was caused by a 'sticky bomb', according to BJP's J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina. The BJP leader claimed that this had been discovered during a forensic probe by the National Investigation Agency, or NIA.

So, what are sticky bombs? And what is their link to the Taliban?

Sticky bombs refer to explosives usually used on vehicles. Explosives packed into small box, and a magnet and a mobile phone are attached to box. When the attacker dials phone number programmed into the mobile, the explosives are triggered and a blast occurs.

Such bombs are usually stuck on the underside of vehicles. They were widely used by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Subsequently, sticky bombs were also adopted by ISIS-Khorasan against Taliban in the war-torn country.

The latest development comes amid the Indian Army's warning that weapons from Afghanistan were trickling into Kashmir. India has been fearing Taliban's interference in Kashmir ever since the extremist organisation snatched power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Meanwhile, a little-known terror group called the Jammu Kashmir Freedom Fighters, has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, authorities are yet to officially reveal findings of the investigation.