By Sena Guler
ANKARA (AA) – Turkey condemned Thursday a terror attack which killed at least 33 paramilitary personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have received the news with sorrow that a terrorist attack targeting a convoy of security forces in Jammu Kashmir resulted in many losses of lives and left many wounded today,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
Earlier in the day, an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a paramilitary bus in Awantipora, a town along the highway connecting state capital Srinagar to Anantnag, a southern district.
“We condemn this heinous attack. We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and Government of India, and wish speedy recovery to the wounded,” the statement added.
It also expressed concern over the increasing tension and casualties that has been occurring in the area recently.
“We […] hope that the problem will be settled through dialogue and within the framework of the relevant UN resolutions,” the statement said.
Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.
Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- two of them over Kashmir.
Also, in Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire came into effect in 2003.
Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.
According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.