A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into a convoy of military vehicles carrying Indian paramilitary officers in Kashmir on Thursday, killing at least 44 of them in the deadliest attack on security forces in the disputed region that could raise tensions with Pakistan.
Indian media reports said the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed group had claimed responsibility for the attack that was carried out by a local resident.
A spokesman for the group said "the suicide attack" was carried out by Aadil Ahmad, alias Waqas Commando, in a statement sent to local newspapers.
Related: Indian security forces killed in Kashmir blast
India's foreign ministry demanded that its neighbour should act against militant groups operating from its soil.
“We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
But, Pakistan condemned the attack and rejected the link of government with terror groups.
"We have always condemned heightened acts of violence in the Valley," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations," it added.