Srinagar, February 16 (KNO) : Initial probe into the deadly Lethpora , Pulwama attack that left more than 40 CRPF men dead and dozens injured seriously has revealed that apart from the RDX, ammonium nitrate was used by the Jaish-e-Muhammad suicide bomber Adil Dar with an aim “to inflict as much as possible damage.”
Top officials of CRPF visited the spot on Saturday to assess the situation that include Director General of CRPF R K Bhatnagar. Sources in the CRPF said that preliminary probe has revealed that at least 100 kgs of RDX and a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate was used by the suicide bomber to target CRPF convoy.
“The suicide bomber came closer to the CRPF bus, fifth in the row, on the left side and detonated the car,” a top CRPF officer told KNO, wishing not to be named. He said that initial probe has revealed that the suicide attacker of Jaish-e-Muhammad was travelling in a SUV laden with explosives that include ammonium nitrate a potential damage causing liquid, besides the RDX.
Talking to reporters at the spot, DG CRPF said that it was not fully clear what kind of explosives was used as investigations are on. “It will take some time to come up with the exact report about the vehicle used and the nature of explosives as well,” he said.
Pertinently, the convoy from Jammu has plied only thrice in the last fortnight, as snow blocked road and CRPF jawans were stranded in Jammu since February 4. “16 vehicles dropped out at Qazigund on reaching destination but 16 ‘mobile bunkers’ joined convoy to deal with militant ambushes which increase beyond Qazigund. The convoy left Qazigund at 2:38 pm,” a source in the CRPF told KNO.
At Latoo mode of Awantipora in Pulwama, an explosive laden vehicle entered the Jammu-Srinagar highway from a left bylane. It overtook a bus, fifth in the row,” the source said. He said CRPF was probing where from the vehicle came and where it was fitted with such a huge quantity of explosive material.(KNO)