Kashmir: 49 CRPF Personnel Killed in IED Blast in Pulwama
Image Courtesy : Kamran Yousuf
At least 49 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in Awantipora in Pulwama district on Thursday.
As per reports, the blast took place when a CRPF bus reached Lethpora, and a Scorpio SUV exploded soon after the bus crossed it.
Reports further said that the explosive was placed in the car by the militants who were the ones possibly driving the car.
Image Courtesy : Kamran Yousuf
While speaking to Newsclick, a CRPF official said that 49 troopers have lost their lives. He further said that the injured troopers have been shifted for treatment to 92 Base Hospital located at the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar.
According to him, there were 70 vehicles in the convoy, and one of the vehicles came under attack. The convoy was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu.
Image Courtesy : Kamran Yousuf
The explosion created panic in the area, and authorities suspended traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway. Soon after the incident, mobile internet services in Pulwama were suspended.
A joint group of CRPF and Special Officers Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police cordoned off the area, and launched search operation.
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the fidayeen attack (suicide attack) on CRPF convoy.
A JeM spokesperson Muhammad Hassan, in a statement issued to news agency GNS, said: “Dozens of forces’ vehicles were destroyed in the attack”.
The spokesperson identified the driver (of JeM) who carried out the fidayeen attack as Aadil Ahmad alias Waqas, Commando of Gundi Bagh, Pulwama, as per the GNS report.
While condemning the attack on CRPF troopers, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and vice president of National Conference, Omar Abdullah, tweeted, “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. #Kashmir
Image Courtesy : Kamran Yousuf
President of Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter, and said, “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?”
Governor Satya Pal Malik strongly condemned the attack, and prayed for early recovery of all the injured.
He said that the 'forces' responsible for the insurgency in Kashmir are "desperate and frustrated", and that they just wanted to make their presence evident.
"Visibly it seems to be guided from across the border as Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed the responsibility," Malik said in a statement.
He added, "Such actions will not deter the resolve of the government forces and people, and we will finish these inimical forces to the last."
Governor has urged all the forces to enhance surveillance on every front, and has directed the district and divisional, civil and police administration to review the security management of all the important installations and establishments immediately.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to arrive in Kashmir tomorrow. He will be accompanied by DG CRPF RR Bhatnagar.
*This is a developing story.
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