At least 40 CRPF men were killed in an IED blast in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday, February 14. Reports suggest that the death toll may rise even further and many soldiers have also been injured in the blast.
This is said to be one of the biggest attacks on the CRPF in recent history. The IED was planted in a parked civilian vehicle along the Jammu-Srinagar highway and was triggered by terrorists as the CRPF convoy passed the area.
Shocking news coming from Awantipora, Pulwama. CRPF vehicle attacked, 12 jawans martyred in the attack. Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack. My prayers for the injured and condolences to the families of the bereaved. pic.twitter.com/y2GYU54jWg
— Rohit Choudhary (@irohitchoudhary) February 14, 2019
Terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for the attack. News 18 reports that local fidayeen terrorist Aadil Ahmad was behind the attack which was caused by a car laden with 350 kg of explosives. According to Kashmir Reader, at least 40 CRPF personnel have been admitted to the army hospital in Srinagar.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack.
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?
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 14, 2019
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
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2019
Jaish has claimed the blast as a suicide (fidaeen) attack reminiscent of the dark days of militancy pre 2004-05. #Kashmir
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2019
