The 2016 Pampore attack was a attack by militants of the

Jihadist Jihadism is a neologism which is used in reference to "militant Islamic movements that are perceived as existentially threatening to the West" and "rooted in political Islam."Compare: Appearing earlier in the Pakistani and Indian media, Wes ...

group,

Lashkar-e-Taiba Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT; ur, ; literally ''Army of the Good'', translated as ''Army of the Righteous'', or ''Army of the Pure'' and alternatively spelled as ''Lashkar-e-Tayyiba'', ''Lashkar-e-Toiba'', ''Lashkar-i-Taiba'', ''Lashkar-i-Tayyeba'') ...

on 25 June 2016, near Frestabal area of

Pampore Pampore (), known as Pampar () or Panpar () in Kashmiri, is a historical town situated on the eastern side of the Jhelum River on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Pulwama district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir ...

on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Attack

At around 16:40 on 25 June 2016, a

Central Reserve Police Force The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a federal police organisation in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. It is one among the Central Armed Police F ...

convoy, consisting of six vehicles, was ambushed by three or four militants while en route from Pantha Chowk to Pampore. The convoy came under attack as it was slowing down at a bend in the highway in order to make a turn. Carrying AK-47s and grenades, the militants attacked a bus carrying over 40 CRPF officers, killing eight officers and injuring over 20 others, several critically. In the ensuing gun battle, two of the militants were killed. It was reported that one or two militants might have escaped.

Investigation

Senior CRPF commanders who investigated the attack and examined the corpses of the two killed militants said the dead militants had shaved their bodies, a characteristic of fidayeen attackers. As the militants had 11 AK-47 magazines with them, they had clearly prepared for intensive fighting. According to CRPF officers, unexploded grenades recovered from the scene appeared similar to those used by the Pakistan Army. Investigators believed the militants had possibly infiltrated the area up to 10 days previously, possibly with assistance from other terrorist units or from locals.

Responsibility

The terrorist group

subsequently claimed responsibility, with a spokesman threatening more attacks in the future.

Reactions

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Mehbooba Mufti Mehbooba may refer to * ''Mehbooba'' (1976 film), a Hindi-language film * ''Mehbooba'' (2008 film), a Hindi-language romance film * ''Mehbooba'' (2018 film), a Telugu-language film *Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni, known as Chan ...

condemned the attack, saying, “The elements inimical to interests of J&K have always tried to derail the peace efforts and the latest militant strike at Pampore is again aimed at subverting the peace and development initiatives launched by the government." Home Minister

Rajnath Singh Rajnath Singh (; born 10 July 1951) is an Indian politician serving as the Defence Minister of India. He is currently the Deputy Leader of the House Lok Sabha. He is the former President of Bharatiya Janata Party. He has previously served as ...

condemned the attack, “An attempt is being made by these terrorists and our neighbouring country to destabilise India. I want to praise the bravery of our security men. I salute their courage. Terrorists attacked them deceitfully. But our security men killed those two terrorists successfully.”

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pampore attack June 2016 crimes in Asia June 2016 events in India Kashmir Mass murder in 2016 Persecution by Muslims 21st-century mass murder in India Pulwama district Terrorist incidents in India in 2016