Pulwama terror attack: 30 CRPF jawans martyred by JeM suicide bomber; what we know so far

30 CRPF jawans were martyred on Thursday when a suicide bomber rammed a Scorpio car laden with over 200 kg of explosive into one of the buses of the military convoy.

Death toll is expected to increase since the condition of some injured soldiers is believed to be critical. (Image: ANI)

Pulwama terror attack: In a major and the most dreadful terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, as many as 30 CRPF jawans were martyred on Thursday when a suicide bomber rammed a Scorpio car laden with over 200 kg of explosive into one of the buses of the military convoy in Awantipora town. As the entire nation mourns the incident that took place at around 3:30 pm today, the death toll is expected to increase since the condition of some injured soldiers is believed to be critical. CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar said that senior officers were at the spot and the investigation was underway. “Injured are being taken care of. There were 2,500 personnel in the convoy,” Bhatnagar was quoted by news agency ANI. This is said to be one of the deadliest terror attacks since 2001 Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly car bombing incident. Despite being highly active and provocative in countering terrorism actions in the valley, some Pakistan-based militant organisations have continued with their terror attacks in the country. With every minute update coming in from the valley, here is what we know about the pernicious terror attack so far: * 30 soldiers have been martyred in a terrorist attack on a convoy of CRPF security forces in Pulwama, news agency PTI reported. * Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed the responsibility for the attack. The suicide bomber was identified as Adil Ahmed who hails from Kakapora region in Pulwama, police have informed. * Explosive used in the Pulwama attack was RDX, say Sources. The vehicle of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist was laden with over 200 kg of explosives. * Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has directed immediate enhancement of surveillance and review of the security management of all important installations and establishments in the state. * The convoy with more than 78 vehicles was coming from Jammu at around 3:30 am and was scheduled to reach Srinagar by the evening. The convoy had a total of over 2,500 soldiers. Usually, about 1,000 personnel are part of a convoy but this time it was a total of 2,547 personnel, PTI quoted officials as saying. * According to police, an investigation has been kicked off and a post-blast analysis has been conducted. * The attack has evoked strong reactions from leading political figures of the country. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Ram Nath Kovind and even Congress President Rahul Gandhi has expressed grief and anger. * Even Home Minister Rajnath Singh has condemned the attack and has spoken to DG CRPF RR Bhatnagar to take an account of the event. Singh will visit the valley tomorrow. * According to sources, intelligence agencies have warned the security officials about terror activity in the region earlier this month. "Before occupying your place of deployment, please sanitize the area properly as there are inputs of use of IEDs," a letter from intelligence agency read. * This is the deadliest terror attack on security personnel since Uri. As many as four heavily armed militants targeted an army brigade headquarters which caused the death of as many as 19 soldiers in September 2016.