30 paramilitary jawans killed in Kashmir attack

At least 30 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulawama. The well-planned attack used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (known as VBIED) to target a CRPF bus that was part of a 70-vehicle convoy.

The convoy was on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and was on its way to Pulwama when a suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden SUV crashed into the bus. The bus had 39 jawans on board when the SUV crashed into it.

The bus was completely destroyed in the attack. The site of the attack resembled a war zone with body parts and vehicle debris strewn about.

The attack took place when the convoy was passing through the Gundipoora section of the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama's Awantipora area.

The convoy was made up of buses, trucks and SUVs. Each bus/truck was carrying 35-40 jawans of the CRPF.

Terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. A spokesperson of the banned terrorist organization said "dozens of forces' vehicles were destroyed in the attack".

Jaish-e-Mohammad identified the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmad Dar and even released a video of him. In the video, Adil Dar can be seen brandishing rifles and standing in front of Jaish-e-Mohammad banners.

Reactions poured in from across the country as the death toll kept rising in the Pulwama terror attack. PM Narendra Modi said the attack was "despicable" and "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," PM Modi said in a tweet.

Union minister Arun Jaitley called the attack an example of "cowardice" and said, " Terrorists will be given unforgettable lesson for their heinous act."

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said he was "deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack".

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah reacted to the "terrible news". "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," Abdullah said in a tweet.

Abdullah also said that the attack was "reminiscent of the dark days of militancy pre 2004-05".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "strongly condemned" the attack. "Extremely shocking news coming from Pulwama (J&K). I strongly condemn the terror attack on CRPF convoy in which many casualties are feared. India must stand united in this moment of grief," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "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."

Source: India Today.

AH