#PulwamaTerrorAttack: NSG, NIA to assist J&K Police in terror-attack probe
Anti-terror force National Security Guard (NSG) experts and National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigators will join the investigation into the deadly terror attack at Awantipora in J&K's Pulwama. Nearly 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in J&K's worst terror attack since the 2016 Uri attack. Home Ministry officials said NSG's explosive specialists and forensic experts with NIA team are being sent to assist in the investigation.
A CRPF official said there were 70 buses in a convoy that was going towards Srinagar. On the Srinagar-Jammu national Highway, an SUV, laden with 350kg of explosives rammed into the bus triggering a blast. The bus was reduced to shambles in no time. Terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack and revealed local resident Ahmad alias Waqas carried out the suicide attack.
President Ram Nath Kovind strongly condemned the deadly Pulwama terror attack and said that the nation stands united against the terror forces. "Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K. Thoughts and prayers with the families of martyrs and wishing an early recovery to those injured. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil," Kovind tweeted.
Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pulwama, JK. Thoughts and prayers with the families of martyrs and wishing an early recovery to those injured. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 14, 2019
The US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, said: "Strongly condemn today's terrorist attack. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it."
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi also condemned the terror attack on CRPF personnel. "Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack," he tweeted. "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," he wrote on Twitter.
PM Narendra Modi also tweeted that he has spoken to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top officials about the situation in Pulwama. The Home Ministry tweeted that Rajnath Singh has canceled his visit to Bihar scheduled for tomorrow in the wake of the attack, adding that the Ministry is also closely monitoring the situation. Singh would visit Srinagar tomorrow.
"The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish e Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this," Rajnath Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
#WATCH: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, says,"The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish e Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this." #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/OdhLUtNK8h
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019
Earlier, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi extended her condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers. "I want to say that not only the Congress party but the entire country is standing shoulder to shoulder with the families of our brave soldiers," she added. "We demand that this government take concrete steps to ensure such terror attacks don't happen in the future," Priyanka said.
