Srinagar, Feb 14(KMW): At least 42 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and many others injured after militants targeted a convoy with a powerful explosive at Awantipora in Pulwama district today, reports said.
Militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack. Many of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.
The spokesperson identified the driver (of JeM) who carried out the fidayeen attack as Aadil Ahmad alias Waqas Commando of Gundi Bagh, Pulwama
The nature of the device used to cause the explosion, which occurred in Goripora area, is yet to be ascertained. The injured have been moved to the army base hospital in Srinagar.
Reports suggest that the militants triggered the blast while the CRPF personnel were plying through the Srinagar-Jammu highway. The stretch on which the incident occurred was largely believe to be sanitised of militant activities, and the authorities have termed it as a “serious breach” of security.
There were 50 vehicles in the convoy including 20 buses plus other trucks and SUVs. Each bus/truck had 35 to 40 constables. The suicide was mounted to beat the guards along the route. The SUV, which was used by the suicide bomber, was laden with explosives. It rammed the targeted bus. The blast took place on Srinagar-Jammu national Highway. The traffic on this highway was resumed on 13 Feb after 7 days of closure due to heavy snowfall.
