Pulwama Attack: 40 CRPF soldiers martyred in Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bombing in J&K's Awantipora- latest updates
Feb 14 (AZINS) At least 40 CRPF personnel are reported to have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in, officials said.The terror group has claimed responsibility for the incident, they said.
Police identified the terrorist as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He joined the Jaish-Mohammed in 2018, they said. The casualties are likely to go up. Several people were injured in the terror attack, which reduced the bus to a mangled heap of iron.
The vehicle was blown up on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Awantipora area of the district, a police official said. The blast was followed by gunshots in Goripora area of Awantipora.
Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for Pulwama terror attack, in a text message to Kashmiri News Agency GNS.
An official statement by CRPF officials said that there were 70 vehicles in the convoy and one of the vehicles came under attack. The convoy was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar.
"Jammu and Kashmir Police have taken up the investigation. The injured shifted to hospital. Post-blast analysis being done at the spot," IG CRPF(Operations) Zulfiqar Hassan said.
Here are the latest updates about the incident:
21:36 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this. The country pays tribute to the brave jawans who were martyred: Rajnath Singh
21:26 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind: "Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K. Thoughts and prayers with the families of martyrs and wishing an early recovery to those injured. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil"
20:28 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
The Union I&B Ministry has issued an advisory for television channels in wake of Pulwama attack.
20:15 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
US Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in J&K. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it: US Envoy to India Kenneth Juster
20:05 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
An NIA team with suitable forensic component is leaving tomorrow morning for Kashmir to assist the Jammu & Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the spot.
18:49 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is monitoring the situation in Kashmir post Pulwama Attack. According to ANI, senior CRPF officials are briefing him on the situation.
18:30 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
"Attack on CRPF in Pulwama is cowardice and condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyrs and we stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be givan en unforgettable lesson for their heinous act," said Arun Jaitley.
18:25 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Srinagar on Friday. He has also spoken to J&K Governor Satyapal Malik over the incident.
18:05 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
"I don't have enough words to condemn this attack. Border skirmishes and surgical strikes are leading to nothing. NDA Govt and all political parties must come together and reach a solution to end this bloodshed," Mehbooba Mufti.
17:55 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
Congress, on the other hand, used the incident to target the Modi government. Randeep Surjewala, said, "We strongly condemn this cowardly attack, we extend condolences to the kin of the jawans who were martyred. This is the 18th big terror attack in the last 5 years under this Modi Govt. When will the 56-inch chest reply?"
17:20 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
It is the biggest IED attack in the state where armed insurgency supported by Pakistan started in the late 1980s.
Officials say the casualties are likely to go up as some of the injured CRPF personnel are critical. All the injured personnel have been admitted to Army Base Hospital in Srinagar which is almost 30 kilometres from the blast site. More security forces have been rushed to the area and the spot where the convoy was hit has been cordoned off by the soldiers.
17:10 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
The convoy of 70 buses was carrying soldiers of CRPF 54 Battalion and the blast was so powerful that the bus was completely mangled and bodies of several troopers were blown to pieces. Some reports also claim that another group of terrorists then opened fire on the convoy.
17:00 IST Thursday, 14 February 2019
Meanwhile, in a similar incident that happened on Wednesday at least 12 students were injured after an explosion took place inside a private school at Narbal village of Kakapora area (Jammu and Kashmir) on Wednesday afternoon. The incident left 12 students of class 10 injured.