8 CRPF Men Killed, 24 Injured as Terrorists Ambush Bus

Srinagar: Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 24 others injured when terrorists ambushed their bus in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The two terrorists were also killed in retaliatory firing by the security personnel. The attack took place at Frestbal in Pampore, 14 km from Srinagar.

Inspector General of CRPF, Nalin Prabhat, said both terrorists appeared to be from Pakistan and may have belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Later, the terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.

As soon as the two terrorists were gunned down, evacuation process was carried out and the injured CRPF personnel were rushed to Army's base hospital.

The bus was attacked when it was returning to Jammu after a training session in Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police K Rajendra, who visited the spot, said the two terrorists had been neutralised but "unfortunately we have suffered some causalities too".

Shortly after the attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "My heart goes out to the families of the CRPF men who lost their lives in Pampore. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

This is the second attack on a bus carrying security personnel within three weeks. On June 3, terrorists had fired at a bus carrying BSF personnel in Bijbehara, killing two personnel.

(With inputs from PTI)