According to police, a car bomb exploded next to a bus carrying soldiers. Traffic on the highway has been temporarily stopped.
"An IED went off as a CRPF convoy passed by", senior police officer Munir Ahmed Khan said.
The explosion was followed by gunshots, according to reports.
"We have 12 CRPF fatalities. We are evacuating the injured from the site and don't have their number at the moment", he added.
WARNING: The following video is graphic and may offend sensibilities
#Awantipora attack: At least 12 #CRPF personnel killed, while several are injured in car-blast; #Jaish claims responsibility pic.twitter.com/I1OJSyM0fj
— The Kashmir Walla (@tkwmag) February 14, 2019
Two buses in the convoy had been targeted, according to ANI news outlet.
Pulwama: IED blast followed by gunshots in Goripora area of Awantipora, more details awaited. #JammuandKashmir pic.twitter.com/zf65k7cho9
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019
The injured have been taken to a military hospital in Srinagar.
Terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Financial Express.
Both India and Pakistan, along with China, have been contesting Kashmir since 1947. The state is currently divided between the three sides, with the so-called line of control serving as a de-facto border between the Indian and the Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir.
