Pulwama attack: Gautam Gambhir to Rishabh Pant, cricket fraternity offers condolences to families of martyrs

For the first time in three years, a major militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir has left the nation devastated. A suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives rammed a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops. 37 CRPF jawans have been killed.

The convoy which was attacked on the Jammu-Srinagar highway had over 70 vehicles and more than 2,500 personnel. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

"We regret to inform that 37 personnel attained martyrdom and five personnel were injured in the ID blast at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. The injured are being treated at the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar," the CRPF statement said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack and has vowed that the 'sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain'.

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

With the whole nation standing together, Indian cricketers took to Twitter, to send their condolences to the families of the martyrs.

Yes, let’s talk with the separatists. Yes, let’s talk with Pakistan. But this time conversation can’t be on the table, it has to be in a battle ground. Enough is enough. 18 CRPF personnel killed in IED blast on Srinagar-Jammu highway https://t.co/aa0t0idiHY via @economictimes

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 14, 2019

Sad and pained to hear about the dastardly attack on our brave CRPF men in #Pulwama in which many of our jawans have been martyred . I pray for a quick and speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 14, 2019

The news of terrible & cowardly attack in #Pulwama has left me extremely saddened; My heart goes out to the families of martyrs, may their soul rest in peace.

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabPant777) February 14, 2019

Deeply saddened and disturbed by the news. I condemn the terror attack in #Pulwama. My condolences to the families of the jawans who sacrificed their lives.

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 14, 2019

Really pained to hear about the attack on our #CRPF men who have been martyred in the attack in J&K. I pray the coward attackers are taught a lesson at the earliest.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 14, 2019

Appalled and deeply disturbed by the news of CRPF jawans killed in Kashmir's Pulwama. My thoughts and prayers with the martyrs' families.

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) February 14, 2019

Really pained by the cowardly attack on our CRPF in J&K in which our brave men have been martyred . No words are enough to describe the pain. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.#SudharJaaoWarnaSudhaarDenge

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 14, 2019

Just read the news on the #KashmirTerrorAttack as was traveling and facing poor connections. Deeply saddened by this cowardly attack and the loss of the precious lives of our brave Jawans. My heartfelt condolences to the family of all our martyrs. #KashmirTerrorAttack

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 14, 2019

The police have identified the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmed. According to officials, Ahmed joined the Jaish in 2018 and was driving a vehicle packed with over 100 kg of explosives on the wrong side of the road. He rammed into the bus, in which an estimated 39-44 personnel were travelling, head-on, an official at the spot said.

The bus that was the focus of the attack belongs to the 76th battalion of the force.