44 CRPF jawans martyred in deadliest terror strike

Angry Nation cries for revenge strike

India on Thursday lost 44 jawans of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in one of the bloodiest strike, even bigger than URI terror strike, along the strategic Jammu Srinagar National Highway when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed an explosives–laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in near Lethpora, 17 kms short of Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir police have identified the terrorist driving the suicide vehicle as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He had joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit in 2018

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of vehicles when they were ambushed on the national highway in Awantipora.

“A total of 44 CRPF men belonging to different battalions were travelling in the vehicle when the blast occurred,” a senior CRPF officer said in Srinagar.

The entire Nation was shocked to learn about the audacious terror strike and reacted angrily on the social media seeking a repeat of surgical strikes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed sentiments of angry Nation while condemning the terror attack on the CRPF convoy. “Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. 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 tweeted.

PM Modi also spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top officials regarding the situation in the wake of the attack in Pulwama.

Singh, who spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik and CRPF’s Bhatnagar over Pulwama attack, will be visiting Srinagar on Friday. A crucial meeting of cabinet committee on Security is also scheduled to take place early Friday morning where the senior most cabinet members are expected to take stock of the situation ahead of deciding their response to the terror strike.

Suicide Bomber Identified

Jammu and Kashmir police have identified the terrorist driving the suicide vehicle as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He had joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit in 2018.

The group has separately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The number of personnel travelling back to the Valley was high as there was no movement on the highway for the last two to three days because of bad weather and other administrative reasons

Impact of the deadly strike

The impact of the deadly strike could be gauged from the mangled remains of the bus in which these CRPF personnel were travelling.

The blast site was littered with charred body parts. Centre govt has decided to rush forensic experts and NIA men to collect crucial evidence from the spot during their visit to Srinagar on Friday.

Before targeting CRPF Convoy terrorists had done RECEE of the area

It seems the terrorist and his handlers had done thorough Recee of the entire area before launching the audacious terror strike.

Local involvement of radicalised youth also cannot be ruled out as the explosive-laden vehicle breached several layers of security before reaching the point where it rammed the SUV in the CRPF bus.

Preliminary reports suggested more than 300 kg explosive was packed in the SUV by the suicide bomber.

“It was a large convoy and about 2,500 personnel were travelling in multiple vehicles. Some shots were also fired at the convoy,” CRPF DG R R Bhatnagar told news agency PTI in New Delhi.

The convoy started from Jammu around 3.30 am and was supposed to reach Srinagar before sunset, officials said.

The number of personnel travelling back to the Valley was high as there was no movement on the highway for the last two to three days because of bad weather and other administrative reasons, they said.

The attack happened due to a security lapse: J&K Governor

J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday said the terror strike happened due to security lapses at different levels. “At the first place, they (CRPF jawans) should not have travelled with a big convoy of 2,500 jawans. Had the speed of the convoy been high, such an attack would not have been possible on this highway. But somewhere security lapse was there. I will say in several places. Otherwise, it would not have been possible

Congress President said it was a cowardly attack

Reacting to the terror incident, Congress president Rahul Gandhi termed it a “cowardly attack”. Gandhi wrote on Twitter, “I’m deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack on a #CRPF convoy in J&K in which 10 of our brave men have been martyred and many others wounded. My condolences to the families of our martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Union minister Arun Jaitley promised “unforgettable lesson” to the militants for the terror attack. He said, “Attack on CRPF in #Pulwama, J&K is cowardice & a condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyred soldiers and we all stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be givenan unforgettable lesson for their heinous act.”

The Jammu-Srinagar highway incident is the deadliest terror attack on the security forces in the state since militants targeted Uri army camp in September 2016, when 19 soldiers were killed

Congress hits at BJP

Following the terror attack, the Congress mounted its attack on the Narendra Modi government. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned the “cowardly terror attack on our jawans in Pulwama”.

On Twitter, he said, “Our homage to the 18 brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice and condolences to their family. Uri, Pathankot, Pulwama- the terror list and compromise of National Security by Modi government continues unabated.”

“This is the 18th big terror attack in the last 5 years under this Modi Govt. When will the 56-inch chest reply,” Surjewala asked.

Deadliest strike after URI attack

The Jammu-Srinagar highway incident is the deadliest terror attack on the security forces in the state since militants targeted Uri army camp in September 2016, when 19 soldiers were killed.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called the attack a “reminiscent” of pre-2004 days in the Valley.

“Jaish has claimed the blast as a suicide (fidaeen) attack reminiscent of the dark days of militancy pre-2004-05,” Abdullah wrote on Twitter adding, “I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the bereaved.”

PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the terror attack in Pulwama. She said, “No words are enough to condemn the gruesome terror attack. How many more lives will be snuffed out before this madness ends?”

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.