Srinagar: At least 18 CRPF personnel were killed and several others injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. The casualties are likely to go up.
The blast took place when the bus was travelling through Srinagar-Jammu highway in Awantipora area.
Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed the responsibility for the terror attack, in a text message to Kashmiri News Agency GNS.
As per reports, nearly 2,500 jawans were part of the CRPF contingent which was moving from Jammu to Srinagar.
According to reports, the blast reportedly took place around 3:40 PM.
According to news agency ANI, gunshots were reported from the area after the blast took place. The area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation is underway.
“Terrible news coming from the valley. A number of CRPF soldiers are reported to have been killed & injured in an IED blast. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the bereaved,” Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said.
Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter to condemn the incident. “Disturbing news coming in from #awantipura . Twelve of our security personnel have been martyred and several have been injured. No words are enough to condemn the gruesome terror attack. How many more lives will be snuffed out before this madness ends?,” she said.
More details are awaited.