Srinagar: The death toll in the Lethpora blast has risen to 18, reported the Press Trust of India.
An explosive laden vehicle rammed into a bus in which CRPF personnel were travelling killing at least 18 and injuring dozens. Militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
In statement to news agency GNS, JeM said that Adil Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama carried out the ‘Fidayeen attack’.
The casualties are likely to go up.
Several people were injured in the militant attack, which reduced the bus to a mangled heap of iron.
While condemning the attack, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said:
Jaish has claimed the blast as a suicide (fidaeen) attack reminiscent of the dark days of militancy pre 2004-05. #Kashmir
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2019
PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, in a tweet said that ‘how many more lives will be snuffed out before this madness ends.’
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?
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 14, 2019
