40 CRPF personnel martyred in Kashmir in terror attack by Jaish militants; India slams Pakistan

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the Fidayeen (suicide) attack even as India slammed Pakistan for giving full freedom to the militant group in its territory to prepare for attacking Indian securitymen.

"This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity," said India in a statement.

Official sources told UNI that militants rammed an IED-laden vehicle into a vehicle carrying CRPF at Goripora, Awantipora on Thursday afternoon.

According to reports, the vehicle used by the terrorists was a Mahindra Scorpio and it carried more than 350 kg of explosives.

Twelve CRPF personnel were killed on the spot and 32 others were wounded after the vehicle was blown up. Several succumbed to injuries later.

Officials informed that the death toll could increase as the condition of some other jawans is critical.

“Security forces have been rushed to the spot and the area has been cordoned off,” they added.

The ‘Fidayeen' (who carried out the suicide attack) has been identified as Adil Ahmad, a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama.

Meanwhile, Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar said JeM has claimed the responsibility of the attack and also released the photograph of the militant. “Forensic experts have been rushed to the spot and other details will be released after investigation,” he told reporters.

He said militants are frustrated by the causalities they have incurred in the last about one year. "That is the reason they carried out such attack," he said.

India blames Pakistan:

India on Thursday said it strongly condemned "the cowardly terrorist attack on our brave security forces in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir earlier today" by Pakistan based terrorists claiming the lives of over 40 CRPF personnel.

"This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries. This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity," said India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

"The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security. We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries," it said.

Prime Minister condemns:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Uttarakhand on Thursday, tweeted, "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."

The Prime Minister informed he spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the attack.

Modi tweeted, " Spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and other top officials regarding the situation in the wake of the attack in Pulwama."

Home Ministry monitoring situation:

The Office of Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Today’s dastardly attack on crpf in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Singh has also cancelled his scheduled visit to Bihar on Friday.

The HMO tweeted, "HM also spoke to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, DG CRPF and the Home Secretary regarding the Pulwama attack. They have apprised him of the situation. HM has cancelled his scheduled visit to Bihar tomorrow. MHA is closely monitoring the situation."

Congress reacts politically:

Congress leader and party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "The Modi government has failed to prevent such dastardly attacks. There has been a compromise on national security by the Modi-led BJP government."

Surjewala said the "Modi government could not show his 56-inch chest to the Pakistanis."

Other condemnations:

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted, "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?"

Other ex-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said in a tweet, "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."

Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "I’m deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack on a #CRPF convoy in J&K in which many of our brave CRPF men have been martyred and a large number wounded, some critically. My condolences to the families of our martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "Saddened that 13 CRPF jawans became martyrs today in Pulwama. We salute our brave jawans and extend our solidarity and condolences to their families. Our prayers for those injured. We wish them a speedy recovery."

"More news coming in that the death toll of CRPF jawans at Pulwama has now risen. We condemn this violence. Thoughts and prayers with the grieving families of our brave martyrs," she added.