Cricket fraternity condemn terrorist attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama

A suicide car bomber rammed an explosive-laden Mahindra Scorpio into a bus carrying Indian paramilitary, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday. 

As per the latest reports, the attack left over 40 people dead and injured dozens. 

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind condemned the terrorist attack and said the entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil. 

The attack took place at around 3.15 pm when the convoy was moving from Jammu to Srinagar, police sources said. 

The entire country is in mourning including the cricket fraternity who took to Twitter to send their condolences to the families of the martyrs. 

Former cricketers like Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Mohammed Kaif have expressed grief over the attack. 

Virender Sehwag tweeted on the incident with a hashtag #SudharJaaoWarnaSudhaarDenge. 

He wrote on his Twitter account, "Really pained by the cowardly attack on our CRPF in J&K in which our brave men have been martyred." 

"No words are enough to describe the pain.  I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Sehwag added. 

This is one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since Uri in September 2016. 

Laxman tweeted, "Sad and pained to hear about the dastardly attack on our brave CRPF men in Pulwama in which many of our jawans have been martyred." 

"I pray for a quick and speedy recovery of those injured in the attack," Laxman added. 

Suresh Raina said, "Appalled and deeply disturbed by the news of CRPF jawans killed in Kashmir's Pulwama. My thoughts and prayers with the martyrs' families." 

"Deeply saddened and disturbed by the news. I condemn the terror attack in Pulwama. My condolences to the families of the jawans who sacrificed their lives," read Shikhar Dhawan's tweet.  

The convoy, comprising 70 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling, was targeted in Ladoora area on the new Expressway, CRPF Director General RP Bhatnagar told ANI. 

The bus was extensively damaged in the blast which was followed by firing on the vehicle, he said. 

The cause of the blast is being ascertained, Bhatnagar added. "We suffered damage to the vehicle and men," said a senior CRPF official. 

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) SP Pani told reporters that it was a terror incident and an investigation is being conducted to ascertain the nature of the explosion. 

"Yes, let’s talk with the separatists. Yes, let’s talk with Pakistan. But this time conversation can’t be on the table, it has to be in a battle ground. Enough is enough. 18 CRPF personnel killed in IED blast on Srinagar-Jammu highway," Gautam Gambhir tweeted. 

"Really pained to hear about the attack on our #CRPF men who have been martyred in the attack in J&K. I pray the coward attackers are taught a lesson at the earliest," Mohammad Kaif tweeted.