Following what is being termed as the worst attack in a single incident, at least 30 CRPF troopers have been killed in a terror attack when a van packed with explosives reportedly rammed into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Several reactions from political leaders and citizens, condeming the attack have since poured in.
Calling the attack despicable, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. 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."
Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2019
"Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K," said Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India. "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."
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 #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 14, 2019
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said, "I strongly condemn the terror attack on the CFPF jawan’s convoy in Pulwama. I offer tribute to the martyred jawans. In this sad moment, the entire nation is with the families. I hope god gives them strength and speedy recovery to the injured soldiers."
पुलवामा में सीआरपीएफ की टोली पर हुए कायराना आतंकवादी हमले कि कड़ी निंदा करता हूं। शहीद जवानों को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूं। दुख की इस घड़ी में सारा देश परिजनों के साथ है। ईश्वर परिजनों को धैर्य दें और घायल जवानों को शीघ्र स्वस्थ करें। @crpfindia #Pulwamaterrorattack pic.twitter.com/kJF2mgJ0mY
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) February 14, 2019
National BJP President Amit Shah said, "Pained beyond words by the terror attack on our soldiers in Pulwama (J&K). It is an act of cowardice. My deepest condolences are with the families of our soldiers who have lost their lives. Our forces will remain firm against such acts of terror and defeat them."
Pained beyond words by the terror attack on our soldiers in Pulwama (J&K). It is an act of cowardice. My deepest condolences are with the families of our soldiers who have lost their lives. Our forces will remain firm against such acts of terror and defeat them.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2019
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Today’s dastardly attack on crpf in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Today’s dastardly attack on crpf in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured: HM Shri @rajnathsingh
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) February 14, 2019
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took to twitter to condemn the terror attack. He tweeted, "Attack on CRPF in #Pulwama, J&K is a cowardice & condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyred soldiers and we all stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be given unforgettable lesson for their heinous act."
Attack on CRPF in #Pulwama, J&K is a cowardice & condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyred soldiers and we all stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be given unforgettable lesson for their heinous act.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 14, 2019
Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to condemn the 'distrubing' attack on the CRPF personnel. "I’m deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack on a #CRPF convoy in J&K in which many of our brave CRPF men have been martyred and a large number wounded, some critically. My condolences to the families of our martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.
I’m deeply disturbed by the cowardly attack on a #CRPF convoy in J&K in which many of our brave CRPF men have been martyred and a large number wounded, some critically. My condolences to the families of our martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2019
"Today’s dastardly attack on crpf in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured: HM Shri @rajnathsingh
Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal took to Twitter to express his condolences. "Deeply saddened by news of the IED blast in #Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir in which our brave CRPF Jawans have been martyred. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with our injured Jawans to recover soon," he wrote.
Deeply saddened by news of the IED blast in #Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir in which our brave CRPF Jawans have been martyred. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with our injured Jawans to recover soon.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 14, 2019
Condemn dastardly attack that martyred our CRPF braves.Our thoughts are with families of those killed.We pray for speedy recovery of those injured.Jaish-e-Muhammad founded by Maulana Masood Azar-the terrorist NDA/BJP govt chaperoned to Kandhar on Dec 31-1999.We pay for their sins
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 14, 2019
On hearing the news, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "No words are enough to condemn the gruesome terror attack. 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
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too reacted on Twitter. "Terrible news coming from the valley. A number of CRPF soldiers are reported to have been killed & injured in an IED blast. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the bereaved."
Terrible news coming from the valley. A number of CRPF soldiers are reported to have been killed & injured in an IED blast. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the bereaved. #Kashmir
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2019
Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Commerce and Industries and Civil Aviation, tweeted, "Greatly pained by the gruesome terrorist attack on the #CRPF convoy in the valley today.While I have no words to express my grief, I offer my condolences to the families of the bereaved and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. #Kashmir #Pulwama."
Greatly pained by the gruesome terrorist attack on the #CRPF convoy in the valley today.While I have no words to express my grief, I offer my condolences to the families of the bereaved and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.#Kashmir #Pulwama
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) February 14, 2019
Madhya Pradesh MP Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted,"I am extremely upset about the news from the Pulwama. Ten #CRPF soldiers are reported to have been killed & many more injured in an IED blast. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the martyrs.
I am extremely upset about the news from the Pulwama. Ten #CRPF soldiers are reported to have been killed & many more injured in an IED blast. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. My prayers for the injured & condolences to the families of the martyrs.
— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) February 14, 2019
Issuing a press release, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, tweeted, "The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty. We call upon the Central government to ensure that peace and normalcy prevails in the state."
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty. We call upon the Central government to ensure that peace and normalcy prevails in the state. https://t.co/wbNqaBmrrr pic.twitter.com/3l3hCNifm9
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 14, 2019
Condemning the violence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she is saddenedthat CRPF jawans became martyrs in Pulwama."We salute our brave jawans and extend our solidarity and condolences to their families. Our prayers for those injured. We wish them a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers with the grieving families of our brave martyrs. Let us cherish the ‘idea of India’ for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives. Our people and our great institutions must strive to remain “independent”, in the true sense of the word," she tweeted.
Saddened that 13 CRPF jawans became martyrs today in Pulwama. We salute our brave jawans and extend our solidarity and condolences to their families. Our prayers for those injured. We wish them a speedy recovery
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 14, 2019