Pampore encounter: Mehbooba Mufti condemns attack, expresses solidarity with kin of CRPF martyrs

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday, strongly condemned the militant attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pampore in which eight defence personnel were killed, saying that such acts of violence were aimed at subverting the Government's efforts to bring peace and prosperity to the state.

"The only purpose of such blood-spattered acts of violence is to add to the tragedies and miseries of the people and subvert the Government's efforts aimed at bringing permanent peace and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir," the Chief Minister said in a statement.

Mehbooba also said that the elements inimical to interests of Jammu and Kashmir have always tried to derail the peace efforts and the latest militant strike at Pampore was again aimed at subverting the peace and development initiatives launched by the Government.

Mehbooba while expressing solidarity with the bereaved families of the security forces personnel, prayed for early recovery of the injured including civilians.

"I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in today's dastardly militant attack," she said and added that violence has not served any purpose in the past, nor is it going to do anything in future, except shedding precious human blood.

Eight CRPF personnel were martyred and 24 injured in the major ambush by two terrorists, who were neutralised in the encounter in Pampore.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar offered his condolences to the families of the martyred and said that he is praying for the early recovery of those injured.

CRPF DG K Durga Prasad has briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident and will be visiting Pampore tomorrow to take stock of the situation.

The CRPF today asserted that the two terrorists, who have been neutralized in the gun-, appeared to be Pakistanis and were Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives.

"According to the first hand info, both killed terrorists appeared to be Pakistanis and definitely from Lashkar and in all likelihood fidayeen," IG, CRPF operation Nalin Parbhat told ANI.

Security personnel recovered arms and ammunition including 2 AK 47 Rifles, 11 hand grenades from the killed terrorists.

"Our jawans were returning after practicing in the firing range when the attack happened. Our men returned fire with great bravery and it was during that time that Both the militants were neutralised. As of now we have lost five boys and around 20 are injured," CRPF commandant Rajesh Yadav told the media here.

He added that all the injured and the bodies of the deceased have been moved to be 92 Base Hospital.