#PulwamaAttack: Russian President Vladimir Putin condemns attack
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that led to the massacre of 40 jawans. Calling the dastardly attack a "brutal crime", the Russian President extended his condolences, and urged that India and Russia step up counter-terrorism cooperation. Here's more on what he had to say.
Perpetrators and sponsors of the attack should be punished: Putin
"We strongly condemn this brutal crime. The perpetrators and sponsors of this attack, undoubtedly, should be duly punished. In Russia, we share the grief of friendly people of India and hope for speedy recovery of the injured," said Putin.
Earlier, the US had issued a similar statement
Earlier, the US, too, had issued a statement condemning the attack. Further, the White House had called on Islamabad to stop providing a safe haven for terror groups on its home soil, and had asked the country to "immediately" end the "support" it provides to terror groups. The US had also said that it would strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with India.
End support for terrorism: US to Pakistan
"The US 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 had said.
The international community at large condemned the attack
Apart from the US and Russia, several members of the international community condemned the attack. While France strongly condemned the "heinous attack", Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to work with India to end the "menace of terrorism". Germany put forth its condolences and condemned the attack, as did Canada, Israel, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the Czech Republic, to name a few.
An SUV carrying 350kg of explosives had attacked the convoy
On Thursday, a CRPF convoy of 70 vehicles heading towards Srinagar came under attack in the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Despite the highway being well-guarded, an SUV laden with 350kg of explosives managed to ram into the convoy, triggering a massive blast. The blast reduced one bus to smithereens, and left several vehicles in the convoy severely damaged, making rescue efforts difficult. 40 jawans were martyred.
How India has responded thus far
The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and US experts have said that Pakistan intelligence agency ISI could have had a hand in the attack. Responding to the attack, India has withdrawn the 'Most Favored Nation' status it had accorded to Pakistan in 1996. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised that Pakistan "will have to pay".
