New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday led an outraged nation to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack on CRPF jawans in Jammu and Kashmir. “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,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

“Spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and other top officials regarding the situation in the wake of the attack in Pulwama,” Modi added.

Going by the message from the Prime Minister after the Uri attack, the message this time is stern enough to expect a tough retaliatory attack by India on Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed led by Maulana Masood Azhar sheltered deep inside the enemy territory.

Also read: At least 40 jawans martyred, 50 civilians injured in biggest terror attack on security forces in Kashmir

After the terror attack on the Army camp in Uri, Modi had tweeted, “We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.”

The phrase “those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished” translated into a surgical strike by the Indian Army on terrorist-training camps across the LoC.

Now some television channels are reflecting the mood of the nation by demanding revenge.

The Prime Minister has discussed the issue with national security advisor Ajit Doval.

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CRPF officers were briefing Doval at the time of filing of this report.

In the meantime, home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik and took stock of the situation in the state after the deadly attack on a CRPF convoy by terrorists, officials said.

Singh cancelled all his political engagements in Bihar, earlier slated for Friday, and is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

The home minister called up the governor, who apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state. Singh also spoke to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Director General of CRPF RR Bhatnagar and gave them necessary instructions, a home ministry official said.

The ministry is closely monitoring the situation.

In a tweet, 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.”

MoS Home Hansraj Ahir has promised a “befitting reply”. “The IED blast that took place in Pulwama has martyred many of our CRPF jawans. The martyrdom of the jawans is unfortunate and we take it as a challenge. Befitting reply will be given,” he told ANI.

At least 30 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama district when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in.

This is one of the worst terror strikes in the state since the Uri attack in 2016. As expected, the most prominent of opposition leaders led by Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala used the terror incident to train their guns at the Modi government. “Uri, Pathankot, Pulwama- the terror list & compromise of National Security by Modi Govt continues unabated,” read part of the tweet by Surjewala.

Surjewala said to a news agency, “When will the 56-inch chest reply?”

However, Congress president Rahul Gandhi exercised some restraint as he wrote, “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.”

Congress general secretary Priyanka Vadra did not lose it like Surjewala either. She cancelled a scheduled press conference, saying “in the wake of the unfortunate Pulwama attack, I don't think it is appropriate to talk politics right now.”

Pro-separatist PDP head, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and ally of the BJP Mehbooba Mufti thinks “Border skirmishes and surgical strikes are leading to nothing.”

 

Meanwhile, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) is rushing teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and forensic experts to Jammu and Kashmir to carry out investigation into the dastardly attack.

Arrangements are also being made to airlift the mortal remains of the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.