Srinagar: In the biggest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the Uri Army camp strike of September 18, 2016, following which surgical strikes were conducted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, at least 30 CRPF jawans were killed on Thursday evening in Pulwama district’s Awantipora town.
The terrorists targeted a CRPF convoy, which was moving from Jammu to Srinagar and had over 70 vehicles and more than 2,500 personnel. Reports said around 25 others were also injured in the attack that took place on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Awantipora’s Goripora area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and said that the sacrifices of ‘brave security personnel shall not go in vain’.
Jammu and Kashmir terror attack, CRPF convoy targeted: Top developments
* “Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. The sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly,” says PM Narendra Modi. “Spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and other top officials regarding the situation in the wake of the attack in Pulwama,” he said in another tweet.
* As per details available, a local militant identified as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus, which was part of the convoy and was reduced to a mangled heap of iron. Earlier, it was reported that the terrorists had triggered a high-intensity IED blast and followed it up with firing.
* The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack – the biggest in the restive state in the recent memory.
* According to police sources, the suicide attack took place at around 3.15 pm and took the security personnel completely by surprise. Ambulances and security reinforcements were rushed to the attack site even as the injured were moved to hospitals. Some 10 personnel were reported to be in critical condition.
* Reporters quoted CRPF officials as saying that the bus targeted in the attack was completely destroyed and another CRPF vehicle was partly damaged. “It is difficult to believe how anyone in the bus would survive,” one police officer said.
* Zulfiqar Hassan, inspector general, CRPF (Operations) said: “J&K Police has taken up the investigation. The injured have been shifted to a hospital. Post-blast analysis being done at the spot.”
* CRPF director general, RR Bhatnagar, said: “Senior officers are at the spot; investigation is underway. Injured are being taken care of. There were 2500 personnel in the convoy.”
* Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken the CRPF DG to review the situation. He is also expected to visit the state on Friday.
* Commenting of whether there were any lapses in the SOPs, officials said so many CRPF personnel were moved together in one go as the Jammu-Srinagar Highway had been shut the past two days due to bad weather. The convoy had started from Jammu at around 3.30 am.