Pulwama Attack 6th Anniversary: What happened on February 14, 2019, and how did India respond?

Pulwama Attack 6th Anniversary: What happened on February 14, 2019?

Pulwama attack of February 14, 2019, remains one of the darkest days in India's history. A devastating suicide bombing targeted a CRPF convoy, resulting in the loss of 40 brave soldiers. The attack, orchestrated by the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), led to a massive escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan.

PM Modi Pays Tribute to Pulwama Martyrs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack of 2019, honoring their supreme sacrifice and unwavering dedication to the nation. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he expressed that the coming generations will always remember their courage and selfless service. The Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, remains a painful chapter in India's history, reinforcing the nation's resolve against terrorism.

Homage to the courageous heroes we lost in Pulwama in 2019. The coming generations will never forget their sacrifice and their unwavering dedication to the nation.

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2025

Pulwama Attack History: What Happened on February 14, 2019?

On the afternoon of February 14, 2019, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy carrying over 2,000 personnel was moving along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Suddenly, a suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, drove an explosive-laden car into one of the buses, triggering a massive explosion. The attack resulted in the tragic death of 40 CRPF personnel, making it one of the deadliest attacks on Indian security forces in recent history.

Investigation and Findings

The attack was masterminded by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a terrorist organization based in Pakistan. The main conspirator, Mohammad Umar Farooq, had traveled to Afghanistan for explosives training and later infiltrated India to execute the attack.

A Maruti EECO car, purchased in early 2019, was modified for the attack and filled with around 200 kg of high-grade explosives, including RDX and gelatin sticks. JeM leaders, including Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar, and Ammar Alvi, played a crucial role in planning and directing the attack.

The attack took place just as the National Highway reopened after heavy snowfall, providing a strategic opportunity for terrorists to strike.

India's Retaliation: Operation Balakot

In response to the Pulwama attack, India took decisive military action. On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a pre-dawn airstrike targeting JeM’s largest terror training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This highly successful operation, code-named Operation Bandar, marked the first airstrike inside Pakistan since the 1971 war.

Key Highlights of India's Retaliation

• Multiple Mirage 2000 fighter jets carried out the airstrike, demolishing JeM’s Balakot training facility.
• A large number of terrorists, trainers, and senior commanders were reportedly eliminated in the strike.
• The airstrike targeted a JeM facility run by Maulana Yousuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar.
• Following India's military response, tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, leading to dogfights between IAF and Pakistan Air Force jets on February 27, 2019.

Key Facts About the Pulwama Attack

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 19 accused, including JeM chief Masood Azhar.
• The attack was planned over two years, involving the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists into India.
• The suicide bomber's vehicle was procured in January 2019 and modified with explosives in the first week of February.
• The explosives included RDX, aluminum powder, gelatin sticks, and calcium ammonium nitrate.
• Intelligence reports suggested that JeM had planned more attacks, but they were averted after India’s Balakot airstrikes.

Honoring the Martyrs of Pulwama

The sacrifice of the 40 CRPF soldiers in the Pulwama attack is remembered with deep reverence. India continues to stand strong against terrorism, ensuring that such acts do not go unpunished.