In the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989, a suicide bomber on Thursday rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district, killing at least 43 troopers and leaving the security established stunned.
The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the horror and released a video clip of the suicide bomber, a 'commander' identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, which it claimed was shot before the young man carried out the strike in Lethpora, about 30 km from here.
Video of Waqas Commando, the alleged suicide attacker of the attack on #CRPF convoy in #Pulwama pic.twitter.com/hOv9qfk58i
— Zulqarnain Ibn Usuf (@mzzulfi) February 14, 2019
Even as a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising the Home, Defence, External Affairs and Finance Ministers, was called for on Friday morning, the government said it was "firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security".
The Jaish e Mohammad claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on CRPF jawans today:Time to make the 'Wuhan spirit' work on making China remove blocks to the UNSC ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar. Re-upping piece on why Azhar ban is especially warranted https://t.co/DTDzTkz4kB pic.twitter.com/5ZjUJLf37c
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) February 14, 2019
While precise details of the attack were still unclear, police sources said the suicide bomber-driven SUV came along the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bus when a 78-vehicle convoy carrying 2,547 security personnel was going from the transit camp in Jammu to Srinagar and rammed it into the bus around 3.15 p.m., triggering a deafening explosion.
CRPF DG RR Bhatnagar on #Pulwama attack: Senior officers at the spot, the investigation is underway. Injured being taken care of. There were 2500 personnel in the convoy (file pic) pic.twitter.com/hklbZPk9z2
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019
So devastating was the attack -- one report spoke of 200 kg of explosives, including probably RDX, packed into the SUV -- that the CRPF bus was left a mangled heap, many of its occupants losing their limbs.
CRPF officials said the bus which was the main target of the militants was destroyed fully while another CRPF vehicle was partly damaged. "It is difficult to believe how anyone in that bus could have survived," said a police officer.
In a statement to a local news agency GNS, a caller claiming to be a spokesman of JeM said it was a 'fidayeen' (suicide) attack.
Death toll in the terror attack of Pulwama in South Kashmir has risen to 26 as per my sources in the CRPF. The death toll will further increase unfortunately. This suicide terror attack is being seen as the biggest provocation against India and the Modi Govt ahead of elections. pic.twitter.com/7c7srfEKBY
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 14, 2019
All the injured were shifted to the Army's 92 Base Hospital in the Badamibagh cantonment of Srinagar city. Some of them were in critical condition.
All traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway came to an abrupt halt. Senior police and CRPF officers rushed to the spot for a post-explosion analysis.
An officer said the CRPF and police would carry out a detailed investigation to understand the circumstances in which the attack took place.
Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in condemning the horror.
"The attack ... is despicable. I strongly condemn this 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," he tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was to visit Bihar on Friday, is set to reach Srinagar instead. Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba cut short his visit to Bhutan to rush to Srinagar for a high-level security meeting on Friday.
"Today's dastardly attack ... is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation," Rajnath Singh said.
Today’s dastardly attack on crpf in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured: HM Shri @rajnathsingh
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) February 14, 2019
The government, stressing that the "heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries", demanded that Pakistan "stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries".
Attack on CRPF in #Pulwama, J&K is a cowardice & condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyred soldiers and we all stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be given unforgettable lesson for their heinous act.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 14, 2019
New Delhi also reiterated its appeal to the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM Chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.
This is the worst single attack in Jammu and Kashmir since a nascent Pakistan-backed separatist campaign began in 1989. It is also the worst attack carried out by militants after the one on the Uri Army camp on September 18, 2016 left 19 soldiers dead -- forcing New Delhi to launch 'surgical strikes' on terrorist camps in Pakistan.
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
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2019
Officials said the reason why so many CRPF personnel were on the move at one go was because the Srinagar-Jammu highway had been shut the past two days due to bad weather. The convoy left Jammu before dawn.
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?
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 14, 2019
UN chief condemns Pulwama attack, calls for those behind the attack to be brought to justice
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "strongly" condemned the terror attack against security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, perpetrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, calling for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.
In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.
"We strongly condemn today's attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the Government and people of India," Guterres's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing here Thursday.
I’m deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack on a #CRPF convoy in J&K in which many of our brave CRPF men have been martyred and a large number wounded, some critically. My condolences to the families of our martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2019
Responding to a question on the terror attack, Dujarric said, "We of course wish a speedy recovery to those injured and call for those behind the attack to be brought to justice."
When asked about New Delhi's appeal to the international community to support India's proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan, Dujarric said the "issue of listing of terror organisations is one that is in the hands of the Security Council".
Explosion on CRPF convoy in Pulwama was heard 10 km away: Locals
The scene of devastation and destruction caused on Thursday by the suicide car bomb attack that killed at least 39 security personnel sent chills down the spine of unsuspecting locals who witnessed the blood bath in Pulwama district’s Awantipora area, about 20 km from here.
The U.S. Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it. #KashmirTerrorAttack
— Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) February 14, 2019
The explosive used in the attack was so strong that the blast was heard from 10-12 km away, including some parts of Srinagar adjoining the Pulwama district, locals said.
Body parts of the terrorist, identified as Adil Ahmad, and the CRPF personnel killed in the attack were strewn on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, where the incident happened.
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
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2019
Some of the bodies were so badly blown up that officials feel it may take some time to identity them.
This was the first suicide car bomb strike in Kashmir since the 2001 attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that left 41 persons, including three suicide attackers, dead.
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 78 vehicles when the suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a bus carrying 39-44 jawans, officials said.
Really pained by the cowardly attack on our CRPF in J&K in which our brave men have been martyred . No words are enough to describe the pain. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.#SudharJaaoWarnaSudhaarDenge
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 14, 2019
There was nothing at the scene of the incident to suggest which type of vehicle was used to carry out the attack except the mangled heap of iron of the bus that was the target.
As soon as the explosion took place, people started running for safety. The shopkeepers at Lethpora market, which is less than 300 metres from the scene of the attack, downed their shutters and fled.
The scene of the incident is not very far from the Commando Training Centre at Lethpora, which was stormed by Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists on December 31, 2017, killing five CRPF personnel.
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi: 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, & their sacrifice will not be forgotten. #PulwamaAttack (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Ia1qDUVNZq
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019
The Jammu-Srinagar highway has been witness to several terror attacks on the security forces.
CRPF bore the brunt of an attack at Pampore, less than seven kilometres from Lethpora, in June 2016, losing eight jawans while 22 others sustained injuries.
Terrorists had attacked a CRPF convoy in Pampore area in February that year as well, before taking refuge at a government building.
The operation against the holed up terrorists lasted more than two days and resulted in death of nine persons, including three Army men and three ultras.
It is extremely painful to read about the attack on our brave #CRPF jawans in #Pulwama. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our martyred soldiers.
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) February 14, 2019
Shocking, reprehensible, condemnable...Deeply disturbed by the news of attack on the CRPF convoy. The perpetrators of this dastardly attack are not the friends of the people of Kashmir. Everyone must stand together with the bereaved families! #Pulwama
— Umar Khalid (@UmarKhalidJNU) February 14, 2019
Just learnt of the horrific and cowardly terror attack in Pulwama. Disgusted and saddened.
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) February 14, 2019
United in grief with families of the CRPF jawans who lost their lives. My deepest condolences to them.
Absolutely shocked by the attack in #Pulwama...Hate is NEVER the answer!!! Strength to the families of the martyred jawans and the CRPF soldiers injured in the attack.
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) February 14, 2019
Disgusted at the cowardly terror attack on the #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama - my sincere condolences to the families of our brave jawans. Saddened. Angry.
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) February 14, 2019
Will there be no let to these heinous attacks?These mindless killings.this utter disregard for human lives?Extremely shocking news coming from Pulwama.I strongly condemn the worst terror attack on CRPF convoy and stand united with the grieving families
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) February 14, 2019
Wht a dastardly,cowardly attack on our CRPF convoy! It is only savage beasts who have no respect for human lives who can kill so mercilessly!My heart goes out to those martyrs who’ve lost their lives-those young men who’ve been so thoughtlessly massacred! RIP dear sons of India🙏
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) February 14, 2019
Saddened to hear the cowardly Attack on our brave soldiers.
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) February 14, 2019
Prayers to the families of the brave #CRPF personnel who have sacrificed their lives at #Pulwama today.
Salute all our martyred brave hearts. 🙏
Deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news of the terror attack in #Pulwama . My heart goes out to the families of the brave CRPF soldiers we lost today and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. 🙏
— Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) February 14, 2019
Saddened to hear about the attack on CRPF men in Kashmir. This loss of lives is not going to achieve anything. It doesn't help the Kashmir cause. The only resolution of the issue can be political. Saddened to know about this huge loss of lives. Condolences to the families.
— Shehla Rashid شہلا رشید (@Shehla_Rashid) February 14, 2019
Pained by the cowardly attack on the CRPF convoy. India has lost 36 brave men, in a way that leaves me fuming. We cannot let their sacrifices go in vain. My thoughts and prayers with their families 🙏 Jai Hind. #Pulwama #KashmirTerrorAttack
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) February 14, 2019
Numb beyond belief at the dastardly terror attack on #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama. May God give peace to their souls, and strength to their grieving families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. We can’t let this be forgotten.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 14, 2019
Really pained to hear about the attack on our #CRPF men who have been martyred in the attack in J&K. I pray the coward attackers are taught a lesson at the earliest.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 14, 2019
Enough is enough. Horrific attach on #CRPFConvoy in Pulwama is an act of cowardice. I strongly condemn the attach and pray for the brave martyrs soldiers and their bereaved families. #JammuAndKashmir #CRPFattack @crpfindia
— Mary Kom (@MangteC) February 14, 2019
Just landed to hear the most tragic and sad news of the cowardly attack on our CRPF Jawans.
— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) February 14, 2019
Sad. Sad. So so sad.
My prayers with their families. Let’s not outrage and provoke. It’s time to stay composed and think calmly.
Shocked at the dastardly #Pulwama attack on #CRPF men. My heart goes out to the families of those killed. Praying for them & those injured in the attack. Let’s join hands in dealing with the militant groups active in #Kashmir with an iron hand.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 14, 2019
#Pulwama terror attack: List of CRPF personnel who were in the vehicle
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 14, 2019
Follow LIVE>>https://t.co/mk8gibUPXy pic.twitter.com/0P0zjJsF1T
Adil Ahmad urf Waqas of Gundi Bagh, Pulwama who carried out #CRPFattack
— Bhole Vishwakarma (@Bholenath) February 14, 2019
He invokes Jais e Muhammad, Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam while @BDUTT @SardesaiRajdeep, & @OmarAbdullah refused to write more than Jaish
Cowards like these in India embolden Jihadis of Islam & Pakistan pic.twitter.com/Ccu5xN2XTg
