Amarnath assault: Phagwara watches bandh; Indo-Pak buses diverted

Phagwara (Punjab), Jul 14 The residents of Phagwara cutting crosswise over religions watched a day-long bandh today in challenge the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims in a terrorist attack assault in Kashmir.

Different Hindu outfits gave the bandh call, and Muslims extended their support to it.

As a precautionary measure, authorities redirected 'Sada-e-Sarhad' transports employing amongst Delhi and Lahore, Phagwara Superintendent of Police P S Bhandal said.

While the bus bound for Delhi from Lahore took the Kartarpur-Subhanpur-Kapurthala-Noormahal-Phillaur course, the Lahore-bound transport took the Phillaur-Noormahal-Nakodar-Kapurthala-Kartarpur course, he said.

In Phagwara, the residents took out a rally from the Hanumangarhi Temple complex and marched through the city streets, police said. The majority of shops were closed and vehicles remained the street.

An huge police force was conveyed in the city to maintain peace.

Addressing the rally, Gulam Sarvar Saba, a member of the Punjab Haj Committee, called the murdering of Amarnath pioneers an "anti-Islamic act".

"Islam shows us to regard all religions and the killing of Amarnath pilgrims was an against Islamic and anti- mankind act," he said.

Pioneers of different Hindu groups and the BJP also addressed the rally.

Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and a few others harmed in the terrorist assault in South Kashmir's Anantnag region on July 10.