The Pulwama attack, which occurred on February 14, 2019, remains a somber reminder of the challenges faced in the fight against terrorism. On that fateful day, a suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, resulting in the tragic loss of 40 brave personnel. The convoy, carrying over 2,500 jawans, was returning from leave or heading to deployment areas when the attack took place.
The convoy was attacked on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at 3 PM IST. Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on CRPF personnel. The attack is recalled as one of the deadliest attacks on India’s state security in Kashmir since 1989. the perpetrator Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year old youth from Kashmir was also killed in the attack.
In the aftermath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that those responsible would face the consequences, stating that the security forces had been granted full freedom to determine the timing, location, and nature of the response. On Fenruary 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force crossed LOC and conducted air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot Pakistan. India claimed it killed around 300-350 terrorists at the camp.
Paying his tributes to the martyrs on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024, PM Narendra Modi took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: “I pay homage to the brave heroes who were martyred in Pulwama. Their service and sacrifice for our nation will always be remembered.”
This resolve was evident when, twelve days later, the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Balakot, Pakistan.
The attack spurred nationwide protests and prompted extensive diplomatic efforts to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. These efforts bore fruit when, on May 1, 2019, China lifted its technical hold on a proposal in the UN Security Council, leading to Azhar’s designation.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) played a crucial role in unravelling the plot behind the Pulwama attack.
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