Last week’s suicide vehicle-borne IED attack on CRPF convoy in Kashmir that killed 40 jawans has shook the nation. This includes four army personnel including a major martyred in encounter with terrorists in Pulwama. Pakistan-based militant group Jaish -e -Mohammed are held responsible for the attack. They also released a video of the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar alias Adil Ahmad Gaadi Takranewala alias Waqas Commando, a 22-year old high school dropout from Kakapora who had joined the group an year ago. Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack, and thus, Jaish-e-Mohammed leader, Masood Azhar, is roaming free in that country. It is the deadliest terror attack on state security personnel since 1989.
A joint team of Army’s 55 RR. CRPF & SOG cordoned off the area in early morning hours today. Sources said Kamran, a Pakistani terrorist believed to have plotted the terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, and a local militant named Hilal have been killed in the gunfight in Pinglan area of Pulwama district and another terrorist is still trapped. The slain terrorists were identified as Kamran, a Pakistani national and top commander of the Jaish, and Hilal Ahmad, a local recruited by the terror group, an official said. The four Army personnel who were killed in action were identified as major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, Hawaldar Sheo Ram, Sepoy Hari Singh and Sepoy Ajay Kumar. They belonged to 55 Rashtriya Rifles. Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Pinglan area last night after receiving inputs about the presence of militants in the area, PTI quoted a police officer as saying. He further added that the forces were conducting searches, the militants fired upon them, triggering a gun battle. The civilian succumbed to his gun shot injuries at the hospital, police said.
In a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack, India has highlighted Pakistan’s role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
India has demanded that Pakistan take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control to create a conducive atmosphere in the region, free of terror.
India on Friday announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan with immediate effect on Saturday. The weekly Poonch-Rawalakot bus service and cross-border were also suspended on Monday in view of the prevailing law and order in Jammu.