Attack in India-controlled Kashmir claims 40 lives

SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir - The death toll from a suicide attack targeting paramilitary troopers belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force, or CRPF, in India-controlled Kashmir on Thursday has risen to 40, officials said.

Many others were reported to be wounded in the attack.

The car bomb attack was carried out at 3:15 pm local time on a national highway near Lethpora village in Pulwama district, about 27 kilometers south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

"We are being told a total of 40 CRPF men were killed in today's car bomb attack that occurred at Lethpora," a local government official said. "Many other personnel who were wounded have been hospitalized."

According to police officials, a vehicle laden with around 350 kilograms of explosives hit a CRPF convoy by ramming into a bus and blowing itself up.

Images from the scene showed blood spilled on the road, and body parts and glass from wind shields scattered along with baggage on the road.

Officials said the Srinagar-bound convoy was coming from Jammu and had over 65 vehicles in it.

Security analysts said the attack was the deadliest in the history of Kashmir militancy since 1989.

The Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a suicide bomber carried out a car bomb blast to target the convoy.

Immediately after the attack contingents of police, paramilitary and fire tenders reached to the scene to carry out rescue work.

Officials said the death toll was likely to rise.

"There is apprehension that the death toll may go up because of the critical condition of many among the wounded," a police official said.

Reports said a team from India's National Investigation Agency would arrive at the blast site on Friday to help investigate the blast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack as "despicable".

Xinhua

(China Daily 02/16/2019 page8)