Indian security forces have detained 23 men with alleged links to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed that has claimed responsibility for the 14 February attack on a CRPF convoy that left 40 CRPF jawans dead, Reuters reported citing a top police official.
The 23 men also included sympathisers of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
This move comes in the wake of Indian efforts to pressure Pakistan to shut down terror groups operating on its soil.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a strong response to the attack and said he has given the military a free hand to tackle cross-border militancy.
An encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists on Monday, a few kilometres away from the spot where the CRPF convoy was attacked. The encounter that broke out in the wee hours of Monday has left four Army men, including a Major dead, along with one civilian. The security forces have neutralised two terrorists allegedly linked with the Jaish in Monday's encounter.
The attack on the CRPF convoy took place in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on 14 February. One of the most deadliest terror attacks in the recent times on our security forces triggered nationwide outrage. The government, on Friday took away Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation status as a response to pressure the Pakistan government to give up providing safe havens to terror outfits.
On Sunday, the government took away the security provided to five separatist leaders in Kashmir.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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