"Every drop of our soldiers' blood will be avenged", roars Minister Gen VK Singh after Pakistan-backed Jaish perpetrates worst terror attack since 2004

After the horrific attack on the CRPF on Thursday by terrorists in the Awantipora area of the Pulwama district Jammu and Kashmir in which at least 18 personnel have been martyred, Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh issued a strong reaction to the incident.

Calling the incident a "cowardly attack", he said that the every drop of the blood of soldiers who have been martyred will be avenged.

"As a soldier and a citizen of India, my blood boils at the spineless and cowardly attacks. 18 brave hearts from the @crpfindia laid down their lives in #Pulwama. I salute their selfless sacrifice & promise that every drop of our soldier’s blood will be avenged," he tweeted.

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On Thursday afternoon, the 54 Battalion of CRPF was targeted by the Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammed as their vehicle was attacked with an IED blast in the Awantipora area of the Pulwama district on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

An IED blast occurred upon a bus of 54 Battalion CRPF part of Up convoy from Jammu to Srinagar at 2:15 pm. There have been some reports of grenade lobbying and firing upon vehicles of 35 Battalion and 179 Battalion also coming in.

IG of the CRPF spoke about the incident. "All the injured have been shifted to the hospital. We will hold the post-blast analysis. It will take time," he said.

The following is the statement released by the CRPF which details about the attack:

• The convoy started from Jammu around 4am. It was an Up Convoy to Srinagar. 
• 70 vehicles were in this convoy with 2,500 CRPF personnel. 
• Road opening party had cleared the route. 
• The convoy had last checked in at Anantnag. 
• A civilian car was laden with IED. 
• J&K Police have released a statement in the aftermath of the IED blast on the Jammu-Srinagar highway

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