The death toll of CRPF personnel in IED blast at Pulwama in Kashmir has risen to 18.
They died when a blast ripped through the bus they were travelling in The vehicle was blown up on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Awantipora area of the district
The Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the incident. Several people were injured in the IED blast, which reduced the bus to a mangled heap of iron.
It was one of the major terrorist attacks in the Kashmir in recent past where security forces have stepped up pressure against the terrorists.
Some reports suggest involvement of local terrorists in the attack. The entire area has been cordoned off and security forces rushed to the site.
Former CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have condemned the attack.
