Twelve CRPF jawans martyred, several injured in IED blast in J&K's Pulwama

Militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Official sources said militants triggered the blast when a vehicle, carrying the CRPF personnel, was passing the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Goripora, Awantipora.

While 12 CRPF personnel were killed on the spot, several others were wounded after the vehicle was blown up.

The injured were immediately rushed to Army’s 92 base hospital.

Security forces have been rushed to the spot and the area has been cordoned off.

Condemnations:

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted, "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?"

Other ex-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said in a tweet, "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."

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said: "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."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "Saddened that 13 CRPF jawans became martyrs today in Pulwama. We salute our brave jawans and extend our solidarity and condolences to their families. Our prayers for those injured. We wish them a speedy recovery."

Image credit: IBNS