Pulwama attack: China keeps stand on Masood Azhar unchanged

Pakistan terror outfit Jaish has claimed the Pulwama attack, in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were martyred and several others injured on Thursday.

China is the only nation which had blocked India's efforts to list Azhar as the UN designated terrorist.

What had happened?

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.

The attack left 14 CRPF jawans injured.

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.  

Pakistan reacts:

Denying any link with the deadly terrorist attack, Pakistan said the incident is a "matter of grave concern".

Rejecting any of its links to the attack, Pakistan said: "We have always condemned heightened acts of violence in the Valley. We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations."

It is well known by Intelligence agencies that Jaish is now one of the most favourite terror groups of Pakistan's spy agency ISI.

Other countries condemn attack:

Different countries, including US and France, condemned the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama city on Thursday.

The US State Department said the government is committed to working with the Indian government to combat terrorism in all its forms.

"Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for this heinous act. We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists," read the statement issued by the US government.

Alexandre Ziegler, the French ambassador in Delhi, tweeted: "France most firmly condemns the heinous attack perpetrated in Jammu & Kashmir. Our thoughts go out to the families of the fallen soldiers. France has always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.#Pulwama #KashmirTerrorAttack."

India acts tough:

Concluding a Cabinet Panel meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Pakistan has done a big blunder. We have given full freedom to the security forces. Pakistan will have to pay a huge price. Whoever is guilty will be punished."

India has also scrapped Pakistan's Most Favoured Nation Status and said it will initiate steps to isolate Pakistan globally.