Srinagar: In one of the worst attacks since the 2001 Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly car bombing, over 20 jawans lost their lives and 40 more were injured, when a suicide bomber rammed a Scorpio loaded with 350 kg of explosives into a CRPF convoy.
The incident took place in Awantipora town of Pulwama district on Thursday, February 14.
According to some sources, the death toll stands at 27 and is feared to rise.
The Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Reports say that Adil Ahmad Alias Waqar, a resident of Pulwama, was the man driving the vehicle that rammed into the 55-seater CRPF bus.
NC leader Omar Abdullah has condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the bereaved. “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,” Abdullah tweeted.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemning the attack 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?”
