HRTC suspends Chamba-Doda bus service

Chamba, July 16

The HRTC on Tuesday suspended its Chamba-Doda bus service in the wake of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The route was curtailed to terminate at Langera, a border village in Salooni subdivision, 80 km from Chamba.

The bus service launched on July 2 via Padri Jot and Bhaderwah, was aimed at benefiting local populace who have relatives on the other side of the border as well as pilgrims from the Bhaderwah region of Doda district travelling to Chamba during the Manimahesh Yatra.

The bus service from Chamba to Doda was temporarily suspended following the terrorist attack there. The bus would now operate up to Salooni until the situation normalises, said Shugal Singh, Regional Manager of HRTC, Chamba.

Meanwhile, following increased terrorist incidents in the Jammu region, the Chamba police have heightened vigil on the border. The SP has instructed all police stations and posts to remain vigilant. Enhanced patrolling and drone surveillance are being done in border areas. Additionally, the intelligence wing is conducting special surveillance. Vehicles are being checked at various points, including those entering the state and district borders from neighbouring states.

Chamba, which shares 200-km border with Jammu and Kashmir, has witnessed terror attacks in the past.

In 1993, terrorists had shot dead two persons in Jaladi village of the Kihar area of the district. In the same year, two shepherds were killed. The terrorists had killed 35 labourers at Kalaban and Satrundi in Churah subdivision in the deadliest attack in 1998.