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Fri, 15 February 2019
Aadhaar cards, force IDs helped identify CRPF martyrs

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23:36   Aadhaar cards, force IDs helped identify CRPF martyrs
Aadhaar cards, ID cards, leave applications and certain other articles were the only things left of most of the 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack that helped their colleagues identify them, officials said on Friday.

Five CRPF personnel were also injured in Thursday's attack, one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir in three decades, when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

Officials said as the bodies of the troops were badly mutilated and charred due on the impact of the RDX-triggered blast, it became very difficult to ascertain their identities.

Most of the slain jawans were either identified by their Aadhaar cards, force IDs, PAN cards or leave applications kept in their pockets and bags. Some of them were identified by their colleagues by the watches or wallets they had on, a senior official said.

A good number of men, another official said, escaped death by sheer luck as they aborted their journey last moment.

The officials at the Srinagar and Jammu bases of the CRPF undertook the daunting task of making hundreds of calls to the families of the jawans who were part of the convoy to establish that none was missing and the identities of the dead were correct.

One jawan was found to be in Delhi while another had aborted the journey last moment due to some urgent work in Jammu, the second official said.

As the bodies were badly mutilated, they said, it took a long time for the doctors and the force brass in Srinagar to declare the number of casualties.

The CRPF headquarters in Delhi released a list of the 40 killed personnel only late on Friday evening after their identities were firmly established with the help of forensic profiling and matching them with their belongings that were recovered from the blast spot, they said.  -- PTI
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23:09   India's fastest train Vande Bharat achieves 130 kmph speed during inaugural run
The Vande Bharat Express, billed as India's fastest train, which hit 180 kmph during trials, has been able to attain a maximum speed of 130 kmph during its inaugural run between Delhi and Varanasi, officials said on Friday.

Once India's fastest, the Gatimaan Express, which runs between Delhi and Agra with a maximum speed of 160 kmph and an average of 112 kmph, has now receded to the second place.

"The maximum speed on this route would be 130 kmph and the average speed would around 95 kmph," said Girish Pillai, Member, Traffic, Railway Board.

Its acceleration and deceleration are different compared to other trains, he said.

"The train has the capacity to run at 160 kmph. It ran at 180 kmph during trial. The maximum speed of this section is 130 kmph so it will run at 130 kmph," Pillai added.

On its inaugural run, the train will take nine hours and forty five minutes to complete its journey due to two 40-minute stops for a variety of programmes, but on its commercial run it will take around eight hours.      

On its first commercial run on Sunday, the train will leave the national capital at 6 am and reach Varanasi at 2 pm.

On the same day, it will leave Varanasi at 3 pm and reach Delhi at 11 pm. The Vande Bharat Express will operate on five days in a week, except on Monday and Thursday.

The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. PTI
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23:03   Pulwama attack due to intelligence failure : Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy at Pulwama which claimed 41 lives was due to 'intelligence failure' and demanded that there be three-day nationwide mourning to show respect to the slain jawans.

She questioned why the Centre was not declaring national mourning for the CRPF jawans and said, "Will mourning take place only when political leaders die?"

"I demand 72 hours mourning for the ultimate sacrifice of the soldiers. At least for national respect. Only one flag is not enough for it," she told reporters after returning from New Delhi.

Banerjee said that the government as well as all the political parties should put a stop to all scheduled programme in view of the terror attack.

"I am sorry to see that the prime minister inaugurated one project today. After any serious incident takes place, we should avoid political programmes and government programmes. Why have they (Centre) not declared a three-day mourning?"

Describing the attack as 'the biggest' one after the Uri terror attack in 2016, she said that people should not do politics with it.

"We do not want to do politics with this incident that is why we did not say anything. Not only us but all the other partyies who belong to the opposition have not said anything on this. All we said is that we stand by our countrymen," she said.

"We(TMC) want to express all solidarity to the countrymen and our jawans. I salute my jawans. This (Pulwama attack) is an unfortunate incident.

Questioning the role of the national security adviser, she said.

"We have the right to know what had actually happened. What was the national security adviser doing ? "Why did we not come to know anything before the attack? Why did so many jawans get killed? These are the questions of the people not only mine," she said.

"This is actually an intelligence failure. I have spoken to many jawans whom I know. They also said that it was a complete intelligence failure. Why were so many vehicles going together?" she asked.

Banerjee also demanded stringent action against the terrorists behind Thursday's attack on the jawans.

"Let us have a very sensitive inquiry to find out who were involved. We must take stringent action against the culprits. We demand strong action. So many soldiers died, it will demoralise other jawans," she said.

On the Centre calling for a parliamentary party meeting Saturday, Banerjee said, "I do not understand why they have called it instead of political parties ... Especially now when the Lok Sabha is over ... I doubt that they have got some feedback."

TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay will go to New Delhi Saturday morning for the parliamentary party meeting, she said.

The chief minister said that she spoke to the family members of one CPRF jawan who died in the attack.  - PTI

IMAGE: Security personnel keep vigil outside High Commission of Pakistan as security was tightened following anti-Pakistan protests in the capital after the Pulwama terror attack, in New Delhi, on Friday. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo
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22:06   7 detained by police in connection with Pulwama attack
Jammu and Kashmir Police has detained seven persons from Pulwama district of South Kashmir in connection with the deadly terror attack that left 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead near Awantipora, officials said on Friday.

The youths were detained from Pulwama and Awantipora during the night on suspicion of links with the planning of the suicide attack, the first of its kind in which a terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammed detonated an explosive-laden vehicle near a CRPF bus.

The overall planning is believed to be done by a Pakistani national, Kamran of JeM, who has been operating and moving in areas -- Pulwama, Awantipora and Tral area of South Kashmir.

The 'fidayeen' (suicide attacker) was identified as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He had joined the JeM in 2018.

According to initial investigations, the planning for the terror strike was done at Midoora area of Tral in South Kashmir. Police are also looking for another local JeM overground worker who was instrumental in arranging the explosive material.  -- PTI
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21:36   Trump to declare national emergency over border wall funding
President Trump just announced he will declare a national emergency in order to secure funding to build a wall at the southern border, reports CNN.

He argued that his actions are consistent with those of his predecessors.

"I'm going to be signing a national emergency, and it's been signed many times before. It's been signed by other presidents from 1977 or so it gave the presidents the power," Trump said.

"There's rarely been a problem. They sign it, nobody cares. I guess they werent very exciting."   -- Agencies
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21:25   Pulwama attack: Delhi govt cancels all official events
The Delhi government cancelled all its official programmes on Friday as a mark of respect towards the 40 CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama attack, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extending full support to the Centre and armed forces in taking whatever action they deemed fit.

Terming the attack a 'highly condemnable and cowardly' act, the Aam Aadmi Party convener also paid homage to the personnel killed at a gathering at the party office on DDU Marg.

"Delhi government and people of Delhi are fully with the Central government at this hour and we support whatever action the Central government and our armed forces deem fit," he said.

In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing around 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded on Thursday.

The Delhi chief minister said the entire country is in grief and there is 'tremendous anger' among the people on this 'highly condemnable and cowardly' act, he said.

"We are ready for any cooperation to deal with this dastardly attack," he said.

Delhi government cancelled all its public programmes, including inaugurations of various developmental works and festivals, said a government statement.

Kejriwal cancelled the inauguration of a new office building of District Magistrate (West) at Shivaji Palace. Other events where he was to participate at Hazrat Nizamuddin and Moti Nagar, were also cancelled, the statement added.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other ministers of the Kejriwal government also cancelled their events and public engagements of the day.  -- PTI
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21:23   Pak won't make any 'emotional decision' on withdrawal of MFN status: Official
Pakistan will not make any 'emotional decision' following India announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to the country and respond to it after due deliberation, a senior official said on Friday.

India on Friday revoked the MFN status to Pakistan in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack.

Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Trade Abdul Razzak Dawood told reporters in Islamabad that a response to Indian decision would come after due deliberation.

"India has removed us from the list of MFN nations but we will not make any emotional decision and will issue a response after making due thinking," he said.

Withdrawal of the MFN status would significantly hit Pakistan's exports to India, which stood at $488.5 million (around Rs 3,482.3 crore) in 2017-18.

But a finance ministry official told PTI that the impact of India's decision will be marginal.

"As the trade between the two countries was just over $2 billion dollars and Pakistan's exports were a fourth of it.

"So Pakistan is not going to lose much in terms of money in the short term," the official said.

Under the MFN pact, a WTO member country is obliged to treat the other trading nation in a non-discriminatory manner, especially with regard to customs duty and other levies.

Withdrawal of the status would mean that India could impose heavy customs duties and discriminate Pakistani goods vis-a-vis similar items of other trading partners.   -- PTI
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20:48   PM, Rahul lay wreaths as remains of CRPF martyrs reach Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays wreath on the mortal remains of the Central Reserve Police Force jawans at Palam airport, New Delhi on Friday.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a;so paid tributes.

A military plane carrying the mortal remains of the CRPF men killed in the terror attack in Pulwama arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening.

The bodies were received by the home minister and senior officials of the CRPF at the Palam Technical area, officials said.

41 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.  -- ANI/PTI
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20:43  
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pays tribute.  -- ANI
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20:42  
Union home minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute.
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20:41  
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute to slain CRPF soldiers at Palam airport, New Delhi.  -- ANI
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20:24   Rahul, Rathore pay tributes to slain CRPF jawans at Delhi airport
Congress president Rahul Gandhi lays a wreath on the mortal remains of the Central Reserve Police Force jawans.

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also paid tributes.  -- ANI
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20:20   Martyrs' remains arrive at Delhi airport; PM, Rahul to pay tribute
Wreath-laying ceremony of the Central Reserve Police Force jawans, who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack, underway at Palam airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi to pay tributes.  -- ANI
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20:02   Rahul to pay tributes to CRPF soldiers at Delhi airport
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will pay tributes to the Central Reserve Police Force jawans killed in the Pulwama terror attack at the Palam airport where their mortal remains were brought from Srinagar.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi described the assault as an attack on India's soul and said his party as well as the entire opposition was fully supportive of the government and the security forces.

No amount of hatred or anger can do anything to the love and affection that India is built on, Gandhi said at a press conference.    -- PTI
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19:51   PM likely to pay tributes to slain CRPF men at Palam airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to pay his last respects to the Central Reserve Police Force personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack at the Palam technical area on Friday evening, sources said.

The bodies of the slain troopers reached Delhi's Palam air force area a few minutes ago.

Modi is likely to reach the technical area shortly, sources said.  -- PTI

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal observe two-minute silence for the CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack on Thursday. Photograph: Press Information Bureau
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19:45  
Amul posts this topical with the caption 'Homage to our CRPF martyrs...'
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19:39   Pulwama attack: Pak unleashing proxy war in J&K, says Hardeep Puri
Condemning the 'cowardly' Pulwama terror attack in which at least 40 CRPF men died, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday accused Pakistan of unleashing a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We express our grief with the families of the CRPF jawans who were martyred following the dastardly and cowardice act of terror in Pulwama yesterday," Puri said in Amritsar.

Orchestrated by Pakistan based terror group Jaish e Mohammad (JeM), Thursday's attack in which a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into a CRPF bus in south Kashmir was one of the deadliest in the Valley.

Addressing a press conference here, Puri said Pakistan was unleashing a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the country had not taken concrete steps to stop terror attacks on India.

On the Kartarpur corridor issue, Puri said the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre was committed towards letting devotees to pay obeisance at the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. However, he warned: "On one hand, Pakistan responded to (setting up) the corridor but on the other hand, it is supporting terror groups on its soil against India. How long will this go (on)?"

Without taking any name, the union minister said political leaders went to Pakistan and hugged Pakistan army chief without realising that such people engineered terror attacks against India.

"As per my opinion, trade activities cannot take place with the Pakistan in the light of prevailing circumstances particularly after terror attack in Pulwama," he said.

Asked about his will to contest Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar as he has been visiting the city frequently, Puri said, "I do not intend to contest elections from the Amritsar Parliament seat."

"I have come here for a meeting -- 'Bharat Ke Man Ki Baat' organised in Amritsar by Punjab BJP," said the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs.

The meeting brought together representatives of all sections of the society including academicians, intellectuals, and NGOs among others to seek suggestions for the 'Sankalap Patra' -- the Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said.

Puri said the meeting was part of a nationwide exercise to seek and review the suggestions of all segments of the society and forward them to the manifesto committee.  -- PTI
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19:05   In bid to isolate Pakistan, India briefs P5, including China
After more than 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in a car bombing attack in Kashmir's Pulwama by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, the government said on Friday that it would take all possible diplomatic steps to ensure Pakistan's complete isolation internationally. 

India has started meeting envoys of the United Nation P5 countries - which includes China - the Gulf, Japan and European nations to brief them about Pakistan's role in sponsoring terror, sources said. 

The P5 refers to the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members - United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France and China.

At a meeting this morning of the Cabinet Committee on Security at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home, the government also scrapped 'Most Favoured Nation' status for Pakistan, which was never reciprocated.

India had last evening appealed to all members of the international community to "support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan", a clear reference to China which has been blocking all efforts to listing Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council.
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19:02   Government calls all-party meet over Pulwama attack
The Narendra Modi government has called an all-party meeting, which will be held after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's return from the Kashmir Valley. The main opposition party, the Congress on Friday extended full support to the government saying "we are not going to be divided".

The decision to call an all-party meet was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi. Emerging from the CCS meet, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "The Home Minister, after his return from Kashmir, will soon call an all-party meeting."

The meeting will be held on Saturday, when the government will brief the parties about the Pulwama terror attacks and security situation in Kashmir. 

A convoy of 78 vehicles carrying more than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force jawans from Jammu to Srinagar was targeted in a suicide bombing. An explosive-laden SUV rammed one of the buses in the convoy ripping it apart.
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19:00   IAS to contribute day's salary to slain CRPF jawans
The IAS Association of Uttarakhand to contribute one day's salary to the family members of the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in Pulwama attack yesterday. The amount will be sent to the CRPF Headquarters in Delhi.
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18:52   Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple announces compensation to slain CRPF personnel's families
Shri Siddhivinayak Temple trust in Mumbai on Friday decided to contribute Rs 51 lakh to the families of the slain CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack.

Chairman of Siddhivinayak Temple trust Aadesh Bande confirmed that the temple trust has decided to give 51 lakh as help to the families of the deceased in the terror attack.

Various states including Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, have also announced ex gratia to the families of the deceased jawans.

Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying them on Thursday. The bus was extensively damaged in the blast, which was followed by firing on the vehicle.

-- ANI
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18:11   Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi cancel visit to Pakistan
Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi have cancelled their upcoming trip to Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack that killed around 40 CRPF personnel on Thursday. 

The couple was scheduled to attend poet Kaifi Azmis birth centenary celebrations in Karachi.

"Karachi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry. We have cancelled that. In 1965 during the Indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem. AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA," Akhtar wrote on Twitter.

Responding to one of the comments on his tweet, Akhtar wrote, "Don't get upset with me. Talk to those who are running your country, who are protecting and nurturing terrorists like Masood Azhar. Those who had sent Qasab to my city. If you are getting a terrible reputation they are responsible no one else."

Expressing her anguish, Shabana Azmi tweeted, "I am filled with pain and grief and all else ..by the dastardly #Pulwama attack . For the 1st time in all these years I feel weakened in my belief that people to people contact can force the Establishment to do the right thing.We will need to call halt to cultural exchange."

She further wrote, #Pulwama attack There is no way we can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan even as our martyrs are laying down their lives for us. I stand in solidarity with the grieving families.

However, she added, But lets not lose sight of d fact dat there is a difference between d Pakistani Establishment n d people of Pakistan n vice versa. On both sides of d border stand sisters n brothers divided by circumstances with which they had nothing 2 do.

-- ANI
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17:53  
All party meeting to be held tomorrow at 11 am in Parliament library. 
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17:43   Civilian movement will be restricted when convoys pass: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a presser after conducting a security meet in Srinagar. 

Speaking to the media after his meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and officials at the CRPF's Recruit Training Centre, he said, "I've requested state governments to extend the maximum help they can lend to the bereaved families. I've given all the necessary directions to the officers. The morale has not taken a hit. We'll see this fight against terrorism to the end."

He added that as extra precaution civilian movement will be stopped for sometime when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area.

He apologised for the inconvenience it will cause to the general public. 

The home minister, earlier in the day, also helped carry the coffin of a slain Central Reserve Police Force jawan after he laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the troops, who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave CRPF jawans. I have paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama. The sacrifice will not go in vain, Singh said. 

The dignitaries stood in silence till the coffins were loaded in a truck which went to the Srinagar airport, the official said. 
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17:33   Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu stands with India
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, shows solidarity with India.

He posted on Twitter: "To my dear friend, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, we stand with you, the security forces and the people of India following this heinous terrorist attack. We send our condolences to the families of the victims."
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17:22   FIR against AMU student for distasteful tweet after Pulwama attack
An FIR has been registered against Basim Hilal, a student of the Aligarh Muslim University, for his tweet over yesterday's Pulwama attack. 

Basim has been booked under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (promoting enmity) & Section 67A of the Information Technology Act (publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act, etc, in electronic form).

Hilal has also been suspended by his university.

The action against Hilal was taken over a distasteful tweet he posted yesterday soon after a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber blew up a Central Reserve Police Force bus in Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 40 jawans.

Basim Hilal's Twitter account was soon suspended by the social media website.
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17:03   India calls its envoy in Pakistan for consultations after Pulwama attack
In the wake of Pulwama terror attack, India has called its high commissioner in Islamabad Ajay Bisaria to New Delhi for consultations, sources said.

Bisaria will be arriving on Friday itself, sources said.

The Indian envoy has been called for consultations at a time when the government is looking at options for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan over the dastardly terror attack in Pulwama in Kashmir yesterday, in which 41 CRPF personnel were killed.

The development came hours after the angry government decided to withdraw the Most Favoured Nation status granted unilaterally to Pakistan while asserting that there is incontrovertible evidence about Pakistans direct hand in the gruesome terror attack.

India will also make all possible efforts to ensure complete isolation of Pakistan in the international community and work for early adoption of the long-pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which is pending before the United Nations.

-- ANI
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16:46   India needs to take concrete action, says 26/11 hero's father
K Unnikrishnan, the father of 26/11 hero Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, on Friday said India needs to take concrete action to curb terror attacks, instead of hollow discussions and "political surgical strikes".
 
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan had attained martyrdom fighting terrorists on the third day of the Mumbai terror attacks.
"What India needs is concrete action (to check terror attacks) and not hollow discussions and political surgical strikes," said Unnikrishnan.
He, however, said India should restrain from provoking the enemy if it cannot take precautionary measures or a total offensive approach.

He said such attacks can take place any time and emphasised that India should be prepared to face them.

"When you are confronting your enemy or adversary, you should be prepared more than cent per cent to face repercussions. You cannot take 2,500 plus policemen in a single convoy without sealing the entire route, at least the highway," he said.

 "And above all if someone is ready to sacrifice his or her life for a reasonably convinced cause, such incidents are bound to happen," he added.
Replying to a query, Unnikrishnan said the "TRP hungry media" should be banned from conducting panel discussions and editorials on security matters.

-- PTI
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16:19   Rajnath, J-K governor, hold security meeting in Srinagar
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik hold a meeting with officials in Srinagar at the CRPF's Recruit Training Centre. Shortly after arriving from Delhi, the home minister attended a solemn function in Srinagar, where the remains of 41 CRPF personnel were kept in coffins, draped with tricolour.


Singh helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan before it was flown out of Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft, an official present at the function said.


The home minister, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh besides others attended the wreath laying ceremony. 


"The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave CRPF jawans. I have paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama. The sacrifice will not go in vain," Singh said. 


The dignitaries stood in silence till the coffins were loaded in a truck which went to the Srinagar airport, the official said. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. 
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16:11   Indian envoy to Pak called to Delhi
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has been called to Delhi for consultations in the wake of yesterday's Pulwama attack. 
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15:47   J&K attack: J'khand CM announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for slain jawan
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of a CRPF jawan from the state, who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir, an official statement said in Ranchi.  The CM also promised a government job to a member of CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng's family, it said. Condemning the attack, Das asserted that the country will continue its fight against terrorism.
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15:40   Security beefed up at Pak High Commission
Security around the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital has been tightened as a safety measure following the Pulwama terror attack.


Earlier today, Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood evaded questions when quizzed on the deadly terror attack in which nearly 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.


Anti-Pakistan protests are being held across the nation to condemn the dastardly terror attack.While key leaders across the globe stood in support of India in the wake of the ghastly attack, anti-Pakistan slogans were raised in Uttar Pradesh.


Effigies of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (which claimed responsibility for the attack), were burnt in Varanasi as a sign of protests against the killing of the security personnel on Thursday.


Protesters thronged the streets with placards that read ''Aakhir Shahadat kab tak?" (How long will this martyrdom continue?) and festoons displaying various demands and needs of the Indian soldiers.


In the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed on Thursday when their convoy was targeted by a suspected suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed JeM in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. -- ANI


Image: In Ranchi, protests against Pakistan 
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15:23   Rajnath pays tribute amid chants of 'veer jawan amar rahe'
In Budgam, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and J-K DGP Dilbagh Singh lend a shoulder to the coffin of the CRPF jawans martyred in the terror attack at Pulwama. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik and Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh also paid tribute to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack. 


The coffins carrying the remains of the 41 CRPF jawans will be taken to their homes after the ceremony.  Slogans of 'Veer Jawan Amar Rahe' were raised at the CRPF camp in Budgam as the wreath laying ceremony before the rows upon rows of coffins draped in the tricolour.   


CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar and senior officials of the force have left for Kashmir as part of a team led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to assess the situation. They are also expected to meet the injured who are admitted to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar.


More than 2,500 CRPF personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir around 3.15 pm on Thursday.
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14:52  
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Srinagar.
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14:49   Death toll in Pulwama terror attack mounts to 40; CoI ordered
The toll in the terror attack on CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district has risen to 41 even as a full Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered by the force headquarters in Delhi, a senior official said Friday.


A Jaish suicide bomber Thursday rammed a vehicle carrying about 100-kgs of explosives into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pulwama district.  While 39 personnel have been identified, DNA and forensic tests are being conducted on two bodies, he said. Amongst the killed is a personnel of the CRPF road opening party (ROP) who was tasked to sanitise the highway route for convoy movement, the official said. 


In the wake of the incident, the CRPF has issued a 'high vigil' alert to all its formations in the Kashmir Valley and other places in the state and has asked its units to be in "full preparedness." 


A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered into the incident, the official said. The force also posted a message on its official Twitter handle saying: "We will not forget, we will not forgive." "We salute our martyrs of Pulwama attack and stand with the families of our martyr brothers. This heinous attack will be avenged," the social media post said. 


CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar and senior officials of the force have left for Kashmir as part of a team led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to assess the situation. They are also expected to meet the injured who are admitted to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar, they said. -- PTI
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14:40   MEA summons Pak envoy, demands verifiable action against JeM
Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was summoned by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at the External Affairs ministry this afternoon in the aftermath of the terrible attack on CRPF forces by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed group. The MEA issued a very strong demarche and conveyed that Pakistan must take immediate and verifiable action against the JEM and that it must immediately stop groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories. He also rejected the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan statement yesterday.  


Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, in which nearly 40 paramilitary personnel were killed, is "a matter of grave concern" and strongly rejected allegations of the country's link to the strike.


Meanwhile, PM Modi who is in Jhansi, at a rally said, "Conspirators of the Pulwama attack will be punished. Our neighbouring country has forgotten that this is a new India. Pakistan is going through an economic crisis; Pakistan is roaming around with its begging bowl but its not getting help from the world." 
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14:07   Omar asks Rajnath to protect Kashmiris in other states
Omar Abdullah @OmarAbdullah tweets: My earnest appeal to @rajnathsingh ji to please issue directions to all state governments to take special care in areas/colleges/institutions where Kashmiris are residing/studying. They are soft targets in a surcharged atmosphere. 
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14:02   China 'deeply shocked' but refuses to budge on Jaish stand
China on Friday expressed deep "shock" over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by a Jaish suicide bomber but once again declined to back India's appeal to list the Pakistan-based terror group's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. 


At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.


"China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the injured and bereaved families," spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing.


"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all forms of terrorism. We hope relevant regional countries will cooperate to cope with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold regional peace and stability," Geng said.


When asked about China's stand on the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council, he said: "As for the issue of listing, I could tell you that the 1267 Committee of Security Council has a clear stipulation on the listing and procedure of the terrorist organisations". 


"JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner," Geng said in an apparent reference to External Affairs Ministry's appeal to all members of the UN Security Council to list Azhar as a global terrorist.


China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC and a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds.  -- PTI
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13:58   Movement of convoy of forces in Kashmir valley suspended today
The movement of convoy of security forces in Kashmir Valley was suspended on Friday apprehending law and order situation, a day after an audacious attack on a bus killed 40 CRPF personnel, officials said. There will be no convoy movement on Friday in Kashmir Valley as there is a possibility of law and order problems, a Home Ministry official said. 


Movement of isolated vehicles is strictly prohibited while movement of Army and CRPF vehicles in the interior, inter-district and intra-district in the valley is also banned on Friday, the official said. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.


The bus was part of a 78 vehicles convoy of CRPF travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those responsible for the attack will pay "a very heavy price" and security forces will be given a free hand to deal with terrorists.  -- PTI


Image: A damaged bus, part of the CRPF convoy that was attacked yesterday, is hauled away. Very little remains of the bus that the car bomber rammed into. Pic: Umar Ganie. 
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13:47   Kashmiris/Muslims in Jammu didn't attack our CRPF jawans: Omar
Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah tweets: Kashmiris/Muslims in Jammu didn't attack our CRPF jawans yesterday, terrorists did. This violence is a convenient tool by some to shift the blame. Let's unite against terror let's not allow terror to divide us. Giving vent to anger by attacking innocent people because of their ethnicity or religion is no way to honour the sacrifices yesterday. Reports of violence & arson in #Jammu are deeply worrying. I hope political leaders & civil society are able to ensure cooler heads prevail.
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13:41   We will not forget, we will not forgive: CRPF
The CRPF, which lost close to 40 jawans in the terror attack at Pulwama last afternoon, said in a statement, "We will not forget, We will not forgive. We salute our martyrs of the Pulwama attack and stand with the families of our martyr brothers. This heinous attack will be avenged."


In the Kashmir Valley today, movement of convoys of security forces has been halted in wake of the attack yesterday. Delhi.


Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba left for Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situation in the state in the wake of a terror attack in Pulwama.


He is accompanied by top home ministry officials. During the visit, the home minister will take part in a high-level meeting in Srinagar to be attended by Governor Satya Pal Malik and top civil, police and other security officials.


Image: Security forces at the site of the attack on CRPF forces yesterday. Pic: Umar Ganie
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12:33   Advisor to J-K guv visits site of Pulwama carnage
Ahead of Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit, K Vijay Kumar, the advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Friday led a team of top police officials on a visit to Lethpora on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the site of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on security forces in the Valley that left close to 40 CRPF soldiers dead. 


Kumar, who holds the charge of home portfolio in the governor's administration, was accompanied by Director General of Police Dilbag Singh and Additional DGP Munir Ahmad Khan to the site of the terrorist attack. 


The team visited the site to get a first-hand account of the incident as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Governor Satya Pal Malik are scheduled to arrive in Srinagar later in the day to pay homage to the slain jawans, officials said. Singh and Malik are also likely to co-chair a security review meeting in Srinagar, they said. 


Central Reserve Police Force Director General R R Bhatnagar and senior officials of the force are part of the team led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. 


They are also expected to meet the injured who are admitted to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar.  Close to 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. -- PTI
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12:28   We are with the govt of India: Rahul on Pulwama attack
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and former PM Dr Manmohan Singh brief the media: 

Rahul Gandhi says the deaths of CRPF jawans is a terrible tragedy. "This type of violence done against our soldiers is absolutely disgusting. We are all standing together with our jawans. No force can divide or break this country. This is a time of mourning, sadness, and respect. We are fully supporting the govt of India and our security forces. We are not going to get into any other conversation apart from this."


Dr Singh said, "Today is a day of mourning. Our country has lost close to 40 armed forces jawans and our foremost duty is to convey to their families that we are with them. We shall never compromise with the terrorist forces."
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11:39   Surgical Strike General: 'It can't be left unanswered'
"You can't get emotional about it. The plan has to be deliberated, debated and options need to be looked at. 'I am not saying sooner or later, but it can't be too late," says Lieutenant General Deependra Singh Hooda (retd), who planned the September 28-29, 2016 surgical strike that followed the Uri terror attack 11 days earlier. In conversation with Rediff.com's Archana Masih.  Read the interview here. 
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11:33   Our security forces have been given full freedom: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off India's first engineless train Vande Bharat Express, from the New Delhi railway station, spoke on the massacre of CRPF jawans at Pulwama, near Srinagar, yesterday afternoon. 


A sombre PM said he paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack. "Our security forces have been given full freedom.  Humare suraksha balon ko purn swatantra de di gayi hai. Logon ka khoon khaul raha hai, yeh main samajh raha hun. I understand people are upset.


"We have full faith in their bravery. The forces behind this act of terrorism and those responsible for it, will be definitely be punished.


"I thank all the nations who have supported us and condemned this incident in the strongest of terms. 


"A strong reply will be given to this attack. If our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake."
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11:14   Rajnath heads to Srinagar
Senior officials including Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, DG CRPF RR Bhatnagar, Additional Director IB Arvind Kumar are accompanying Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Srinagar.
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10:59   India withdraws Most Favoured Nation given to Pakistan
Finance minister Arun Jaitley holding a press briefing as the Cabinet Committee on Security held at the PM's residence ends. Offering his condolences to the families of the CRPF jawans, he said ahead of the meeting a two-minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect for the CRPF jawans who lost their lives in the terror attack at Awantipora near Srinagar. 

Jaitley said a detailed assessment of the incident has been taken. 

He said India withdraws the Most Favoured Nation status given to Pakistan. The foreign minsitry will be take every possible step to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. 

Jaitley said the MEA will engage with the international community to redefine the meaning of terrrorism. 


He said Security forces will take all possible steps to ensure security is maintained and to ensure that those who have perpetrated and supported this act of terrorism will pay a heavy price for the attack. 


He said Home Minister Rajanth Singh will be going to Srinagar and on his return tomorrow will hold an all-party meeting. 


Image: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley holds a press briefing after the CCS meeting ended at PM Modi's residence. 
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10:47   Time for political class to come together, make India stronger: Shah
BJP President Amit Shah Friday appealed to political parties to rise above politics and come together on the issue of national security, saying these are times when "we must strengthen our resolve to make India stronger and safer".  


Shah's appeal came in the wake of one of the deadliest terror attacks on security forces in Kashmir that left 37 CRPF personnel dead on Thursday.  The Congress had attacked the Modi government, saying incidents of terror attacks have gone unabated under its rule. 


"These are times when we all must come together and strengthen our resolve to make India stronger and safer. I appeal to the political class- let us rise above politics and show that we are together when it comes to matters of national security. Nothing matters above India!" Shah said in a series of tweets.  


The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack. -- PTI
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10:41   CCS meeting ends, Def min's address soon
The Cabinet Committee on Security meeting ends. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley likely address the press outside the PM's residence.  The CCS meeting lasted for 1.15 minutes. Home Minister Rajnath Singh to soon leave for Srinagar, J&K. 
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10:33   IAF to send C-17 plane to carry mortal remains back
Indian Air Force C-17 to go to J&K's Srinagar from Hindon to get the mortal remains of CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama attack. Family of CRPF personnel Jaimal Singh mourn his death. Twelve of the martyred CRPF personnel are from UP, the highest in number, followed by Rajasthan.  
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10:31   Divided we stand...
Politics on Pulwama. Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy says, "When the Congress govt was at the Centre and a terrorist attack took place, the present PM criticised our Congress govt. So far this govt has not taken any step to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, on the other hand, it is increasing. We are losing our Jawans. Let PM take responsibility for the attack. He said that the Congress leaders are not having 56 inches (chest size), it has been proved that the PM is not having the 56 inches (chest size) either. 
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10:19   NSG, NIA teams leave for J-K to join probe in Pulwama attack
Experts of anti-terror commando force the National Security Guard and investigators of the National Investigation Agency left for Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to join the probe into the terror attack in Pulwama in which 38 CRPF personnel were killed, officials said. 


The decision to send the teams was taken in view of the high number of casualties in the worst terror strike in the state since the Uri attack in 2016. 


On Thursday, a home ministry official had said an NIA team with forensic experts was being sent to Srinagar to assist Jammu and Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the scene of crime. 


Explosive specialists of the Black Cat commando force NSG would also join in the investigation into the attack, another official had said. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. -- PTI


Representational image of NSG jawans. 
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10:10   The faces of loss
In Maharajganj, UP, the family of CRPF personnel Pankaj Tripathi mourn his death in the Pulwama attack yesterday. 
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10:01   PM begins Cabinet Committee on Security meet
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have arrived at the PM Narendra Modi's residence at 7, LKM for the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. 


Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned from Sweden today. The  CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister, is in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir. The PM has cancelled his public meeting in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh to be held today, as has the BJP. 


Besides the Prime Minister, the CCS comprises the ministers for Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs.


Thirty-eight CRPF personnel have been killed when their convoy was targeted on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday. The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.


Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was caused by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.


Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Srinagar after the CCS meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack. 


He will hold review meetings with senior security and police officials to make a ground-level assessment and review operational actions.


Meanwhile, arrangements are also being made to airlift the mortal remains of the soldiers who lost their lives in the ghastly attack. -- PTI/ANI
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09:52   PM begins Cabinet Committee on Security meet
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have arrived at the PM Narendra Modi's residence at 7, LKM for the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. 


Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned from Sweden today. The  CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister, is in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir. The PM has cancelled his public meeting in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh to be held today, as has the BJP. 


Besides the Prime Minister, the CCS comprises the ministers for Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs.


Thirty-eight CRPF personnel have been killed when their convoy was targeted on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday. The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.


Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was caused by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.


Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Srinagar after the CCS meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack. 


He will hold review meetings with senior security and police officials to make a ground-level assessment and review operational actions.


Meanwhile, arrangements are also being made to airlift the mortal remains of the soldiers who lost their lives in the ghastly attack. -- PTI/ANI
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09:23   'Matter of grave concern': Pak rejects link to Pulwama attack
Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.
 
In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a suicide bomber from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded. 
Attack in Pulwama in Kashmir is "a matter of grave concern", the Pakistan government said in a statement.
Asserting that Pakistan has "always condemned acts of violence" anywhere in the world, it said, "We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian media and government that seek to link the attack to Pakistan without investigations." 
Meanwhile, India slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.
India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan. 
The Indian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly terrorist attack on India's brave security forces in Pulwama, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
 
This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, it said.
 
This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by the Pakistani government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under Pakistan's control and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity, the MEA said. -- PTI 
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09:19   Outraged by barbarous, cowardly act: Sonia on Pulwama attack
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said she was outraged by the "barbarous attack" on the CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that those responsible for it will be brought to justice and made to pay for this appalling act.
   
At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left five wounded, 
"I am shocked, outraged and deeply grieved by the barbarous attack on the CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir. Our brave CRPF personnel died serving the nation selflessly, at the hands of cowardly terrorists, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten," Gandhi said.
"My heart goes out to the loved ones of each and every victim. I share their grief and pain with all my heart. I sincerely hope that those responsible for this dastardly terror attack will be brought to justice and made to pay for this appalling act, that goes against every tenet of humanity," the former Congress president said.
 
Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the attack, saying that it was unfortunate that terrorism was again raising its ugly head in Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged the J&K Governor to take all possible steps to compensate the families of those killed. -- PTI
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09:18   Immediately end support, safe haven to all terrorist groups: US to Pak
The White House asked Pakistan to immediately end "support" and "safe haven" to all terror groups as it strongly condemned the Pulwama terrorist attack.
Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday that left at least 39 personnel dead and many critically wounded.
"The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late night statement on Thursday.
"This attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the United States and India," she said in a strongly-worded statement issued by the White House. -- PTI 
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08:46   Jaitley back as Fin Min, to attend meet on Pulwama attack
Union minister Arun Jaitley, who had undergone treatment in the United States for around a month, will resume charge as the finance minister on Friday, sources said.

He will attend a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security today to discuss the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that left nearly 39 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force dead and many critically injured.

A suicide bomber had rammed a car into a bus carrying the CRPF troopers in the deadliest attack in decades on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

In Jaitley's absence, his portfolios of finance and corporate affairs were temporarily assigned to railway minister Piyush Goyal in addition to his existing portfolios.

Jaitley returned to India on February 9 after being treated in New York. -- ANI
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08:29   US condemns Pulwama attack, asks countries to not shelter terrorists
The United States on Friday strongly condemned the terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Kashmir's Pulwama district and called on all countries to deny safe haven and support for terrorists.
In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 37 personnel and leaving many critically wounded. 
Condemning the terror strike, the US State Department said in a statement that it was resolutely committed to working with the Indian government to combat terrorism in all its forms. 
"The US condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today on an Indian Central Reserve Police Force convoy in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said and extend his deepest condolences to the deceased paramilitary personnel and their families.
"The UN designated, Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for this heinous act. We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists," Palladino said. -- PTI  
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00:55   J-K police shared threats posed by Jaish on Twitter two days ago
Jammu and Kashmir police had shared an intelligence input, uploaded on a private twitter account a couple of days ago, with all security agencies in which Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed had threatened to carry out the suicide attack on security forces, officials said on Thursday.

At least 39 CRPF personnel were killed on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left many critically wounded, officials said.

The input shared by the state police had attached the twitter handle that carried a 33 second video of troops in Somalia being attacked by militants in a similar fashion as was replicated on Thursday on a bus carrying CRPF personnel at Pulwama in South Kashmir.

The twitter handle '313_get' is not open for public viewing.

It carried a threat 'InshaAllah...its will same in Kashmir...endian are flying in parts...InshaAllah (sic)'.

The twitter handle is being operated using the virtual private network making it difficult for the security agencies to establish the location of its operator, they said.

The same was shared during the meeting held two days back and all security formations were alerted about a possible terror attack similar to that carried in the twitter handle.

Jammu and Kashmir police had also prepared a dummy video to explain how terrorists may possibly carry out such an attack, the officials said.  -- PTI
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00:13   Cong cancels Friday's lunch for G20 envoys in view of Pulwama attack
In view of the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed at least 39 Central Reserve Police Force personnel on Thursday, the Congress has cancelled the lunch it was scheduled to host on Friday for the ambassadors of G20 nations.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the party stood in solidarity with the brave jawans who lost their lives, while strongly condemning such cowardly attacks.

He added that Friday's lunch was cancelled as the Congress party stood in solidarity with the fight against terror.

The former Union minister said the lunch for G20 ambassadors was to be attended by top Congress leaders, including party chief Rahul Gandhi.  -- PTI

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