Srinagar: In Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, at least 44 security personnel were martyred after Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) militants targeted the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy with a car bomb in one of the worst attack on security forces in the state in the last few years.  The dastardly attack was strongly condemned by the Indian government, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh vowing that the attack would be given a "strong reply."

Home Minister Singh is also expected to visit Srinagar today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Thursday to pledge that the "sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement accused Pakistan for the attack and added that the JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar had been "given the freedom to target India." 

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A high alert has been issued across Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the deadly suicide attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama district in which at least 44 CRPF personnel were killed and several others critically injured. The intelligence agencies have warned that Pakistan-backed terrorist outfit may target police establishment and camps of the security forces to build up more pressure on India.

The agencies have warned that the possible attacks may be carried out in the night and early morning hours. Intelligence agencies had on February 8 issued alert urging the security forces to exercise maximum restraint and increase patrolling and vigilance in sensitive areas.

Meanwhile, mobile and internet services have also been suspended in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

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