Phulwama: Security forces conduct raids, detain suspects in south Kashmir

The militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack which was carried out by a local ultra after he rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of CRPF convoy from Jammu to Srinagar.

This was the deadliest attack by militants since the eruption of militancy in early 90s in the Kashmir valley. While India slammed Pakistan for allowing the Jaish terrorists to move freely in their territory, condemnation poured in from across the world.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also scheduled to visit Kashmir today.

A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) will inspect the area of the attack which has been sealed by the security forces though traffic on one tube of the highway was plying normally.

Official sources said on Friday that immediately after the attack, security forces and state police personnel conducted raids at several places in south Kashmir, particularly in Pulwama. They said several suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

Such raids continued throughout the night, the sources said, adding the exact number of those detained was not immediately clear.

Hundreds of security forces and state police personnel besides Army personnel have been deployed on the highway and Road Opening Parties (ROP) have also been put under high alert.

Entire area where the attack took place has been sealed by the security forces since last night and traffic was diverted through another tube of the highway. However, in the rest of the highway, traffic was plying on both sides.

The area has been sealed as a team of NIA from New Delhi is scheduled to visit there to collect full details about the attack and other evidence, sources said.
Though leaders of all mainstream political parties have strongly condemned the attack, the separatists are silent.