18 CRPF men killed as militants blow up bus in J&K

18 CRPF men killed as militants blow up bus in J&K

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At least 18 Personnel of Central Reserve Police Force CRPF were reportedly killed and several others were injured in a major militant attack at Lethpora along the Srinagar-Jammu highway on Thursday.

As per the CRPF, an IED blast occurred at around 3.30 pm upon a CRPF convoy which was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu

“The bus which came under attack was part of a convoy from Jammu to Srinagar. There were also reports of firing upon the vehicles,” a CRPF officer said.

A police official said that around 3:15 pm, militants rammed the car fitted with explosives into the CRPF bus, triggered off an intensive blast, reported GNS news agency.

While CRPF is yet to confirm the fatalities, sources said at least 18 men of the central armed force were killed in the attack.

“The fatalities could rise and there were over 20 CRPF men inside the bus which was targeted by the militants,” they said.

Meanwhile, militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying local fidayeen rammed his vehicle into a CRPF convoy.

“They identified the local who carried out the fidayeen attack as Aadil Ahmad alias Waqas, commando of Gundi Bagh, Pulwama,” a local news agency, GNS quoted Jaish spokesman.

Awantipora attack reminiscent of 2004-05 phase of Kashmir militancy: Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Awantipora fidayeen attack is reminiscent of “dark days of militancy of 2004-2005 Kashmir.”

“Jaish has claimed the blast as a suicide (fidayeen) attack reminiscent of the dark days of militancy pre 2004-05,” Omar tweeted.

Calling the Awantipora attack as terrible news, Omar condemned the attack in which 18 CRPF personnel were killed.
“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 said.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack, saying “no words were enough” to condemn the gruesome attack. “How many more lives will be snuffed out before this madness ends?” Mehbooba asked in a tweet.