Pulwama Terror Attack: Here's What We Know So Far About The Suicide Attack That Killed 43 CRPF Jawans in Jammu And Kashmir

Pulwama, February 14: With the deadliest attack on the security personnel in over last two decades in Jammu and Kashmir, around 43 CRPF personnel were martyred in a Fidayeen strike carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad in Awantipora area of Pulwama on Thursday. The attack carried out by JeM terrorist Aadil Ahmad on the convoy of CRPF at the 76th Batallion of the CRPF – while there were plying on the Srinagar-Jammu highway – has put the nation on high alert and the Union Ministry has taken strong cognisance of the incident.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor to take stock of the situation, here are the pointers on what we know so far about the incident. Jammu And Kashmir: Suicide Attack Kills 40 CRPF Jawans in Pulwama, JeM Releases Terrorist Aadil Ahmed’s Photo Who Carried Out Fidayeen Strike. 

Here's what we know so far:

• The CRPF convoy of the 76th Batallion was attacked with a Mahindra Scorpio, bearing 350 kgs of explosives, while they were plying on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Goripora area. Around 43 jawans were martyred, and over 46 were injured. The report states that 78 vehicles were plying on the route with over 2,500 jawans.
• To decide on the future course of action, Union Cabinet Committee on Security to meet at 9:15 am tomorrow under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Here are PM Modi's tweets:

• Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Awantipora area of Pulwama and take stock of the situation. Reacting on the attack, Singh said, “The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this. The country pays tribute to the brave jawans who were martyred.”
• The National Investigation Agency has been given the charge of probing the incident, and a 12-member team will go to the blast site tomorrow morning. An IG rank officer of the NIA will lead the team. They will also carry suitable forensic component Kashmir to assist the Jammu & Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the spot.
• The security forces have launched a search operation and have cordoned 15 villages near the vicinity of the blast site. Mobile internet services have been snapped in the whole of South Kashmir, and speed slowed to 2G in Srinagar district.
• The Union Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday appealed to members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM Chief, as a designated terrorist under 1267 Sanctions Committee of UN Security Council. It also sought the members to ban the terror organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.
• The Union I&B Ministry as a precaution has issued an advisory for television channels in the wake of Pulwama attack, asking them to follow the precautionary measures.

I&B Ministry's Advisory:

• A list 42 jawans on travelling on the bus – the convoy of 76th Batallion of the CRPF attacked by JeM terrorist Awantipora area of Pulwama district on Thursday – has come to light. However, there is no confirmation whether all these jawans were either martyred or injured. In the gruesome Fidayeen strike by JeM terrorist Aadil Ahmad, around 43 CRPF jawans were martyred, and about 45 others were wounded.

List of jawans in the CRPF bus:

• The Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik urged all the Security Forces Commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and directed the District and Divisional Civil and Police Administration to immediately review the security management of all important installations and establishments. He has even stated that the attack was carried out with the help from across the border, i.e. Pakistan.
• Condemning the attack on the CRPF personnel, US Envoy to India Kenneth Juster has expressed his condolences. He said, “U.S. Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in J&K. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it.”

The US Ambassador to India's tweet:

• Echoing similar expression, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Zeigler condemned the heinous terror attack and said, “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.”

French Ambassador to India's tweet:

• Even the Embassy of Russian Federation condemned the attack. It said, "We denounce terrorism in all its forms&reiterate the need to combat these inhuman acts with decisive&collective response without any double standards.We express condolences to families of the deceased&wish a speedy recovery to injured."
• Condemning the attack, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said, "I'm shocked, outraged & deeply grieved by the barbarous attack on CRPF convoy in J&K. Our brave CRPF personnel died serving the nation selflessly, at the hands of cowardly terrorists and their sacrifice will not be forgotten."Adding more, she expressed her condolences and said, "My heart goes out to loved ones of each&every victim. I share their pain with all my heart. I sincerely hope that those responsible for this dastardly terror attack will be brought to justice&made to pay for this appaling act, that goes against every tenet of humanity."
• Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Amit Shah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, NC chief Omar Abdullah and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have condemned the gruesome attack.

It is to be known that the deadliest attack on the CRPF convoy weeks after the grenade attacks was hurled at the CRPF camps in Pulwana and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Though no casualties were reported in those attacks, the latest one has shaken the state and country. The Union Ministry has taken severe cognisance of the fidayeen attack by the terrorist.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2019 09:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).