Pulwama Attack: NIA probes 15 km stretch, calls from Pakistan

Pulwama : In a preliminary investigation, the NIA has found that the explosive used to carry out terror strike could be around 10-15 kg of RDX. The death toll in the attack has gone up to 40 by Friday night.

Two separate agencies - the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) - have begun their investigation and are trying to figure out why a 15-km stretch on the national highway - from Pampore to Awantipora - has been used to target security forces in the Valley on multiple occasions.

The NIA team also spoke to the other CRPF personnel, who were a part of the convoy that was targeted by the suicide car bomber, as well as J&K Police officers.

The agencies are also looking into suspicious calls from Pakistan that may give a lead to find clues against the terrorist. With the Jaish-e-Mohammed claiming responsibility, investigators are scrutinising records of suspicious numbers to see if calls were made to or received from across the border in the last few days.

On June 25, 2016, on the same stretch, militants stopped a CRPF bus which was part of a convoy and fired indiscriminately, killing eight paramilitary personnel and wounding more than 20. In another attack on this stretch, militants opened fire on a CRPF bus wounding 11. In 2014, militants fired on a BSF convoy on the same stretch injuring close to a dozen personnel.