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Pulwama terror attack
The Pulwama terror attack of February 14, 2019, remains one of the deadliest strikes on Indian security forces in decades. Executed by a suicide bomber affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the attack led to the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel and triggered a massive shift in India's internal security policies and foreign relations.
This page on Moneycontrol.com offers a comprehensive overview of the Pulwama attack, its repercussions, investigation progress, and long-term counter-terrorism measures taken by India.
What Happened in Pulwama on February 14, 2019?- A convoy of over 70 CRPF vehicles was en route from Jammu to Srinagar when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the buses near Lethpora in Pulwama district. The impact killed 40 jawans on the spot and injured several others. JeM quickly claimed responsibility.
- The bomber was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a local youth from South Kashmir who had reportedly joined JeM in 2018. The attack involved nearly 80 kg of explosives, including RDX and ammonium nitrate.
- In response to the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force launched the Balakot airstrike on February 26, 2019, targeting a JeM training camp in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. This marked India’s first air raid across the Line of Control (LoC) since the 1971 war.
- India revoked Pakistan’s MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status.
- Global pressure intensified on Pakistan to act against JeM leadership.
- The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack and eventually listed Masood Azhar, JeM chief, as a global terrorist.
- India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a detailed probe and uncovered a wide terror module operating from Pulwama and South Kashmir. Several overground workers and local collaborators were arrested. The NIA found that Pakistan-based handlers coordinated the attack via encrypted messaging apps.
- By 2023, all identified local operatives involved in the planning or logistics of the attack had either been neutralized in encounters or arrested.
- The Pulwama attack led to sweeping reforms in convoy movement protocols, border surveillance, and terror financing laws.
- Convoys are now accompanied by aerial surveillance drones and road sanitization teams.
- The government launched Operation All-Out, intensifying counter-terror operations in South Kashmir.
- Legislative changes allowed the seizure of property and bank accounts linked to terrorist funding.
- Sushma Swaraj speaks with French counterpart on anti-terror cooperation
The MEA said the French foreign minister also informed Swaraj that France has raised the issue with the European Union.
- France freezes assets of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar
Pakistan is under pressure from global powers to act against groups carrying out attacks in India, including Jaish-e-Mohammed.
- Lok Sabha polls 2019: Here are key developments over the last 100 days that will shape political discourse
Important developments include Pulwama attack and Balakot air strike, Rahul Gandhi's promise of minimum income and 10% quota for upper caste EWS
- Probe Robert Vadra, but also investigate PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress will change the mood of the country and make people feel happy and empowered, the Congress chief said while addressing women students at a college here.
- If Balakot air strikes can win elections, IAF chief can become India's PM: P Chidambaram
Chidambaram was taunting at the NDA government for invoking the February 14 Pulwama attack in order to gain political mileage
- Tell families of 40 CRPF jawans who released Masood Azhar: Rahul Gandhi asks Narendra Modi
Taking to Twitter, he alleged that it was the present National Security Adviser who went to Kandahar to hand over the "murderer" Azhar.
- Pakistan to put group of banned outfits in high risk category, monitor their activities: Report
At least 40 security personnel were killed when a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based JeM attacked their convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.
- India's envoy to Pakistan to reach Islamabad on March 9: MEA
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.
- Pulwama terror attack: Families of slain CRPF personnel paid over Rs 1crore ex-gratia
The force is soon going to launch a special mobile application which has been designed specifically for redressal of grievances relating to the families of killed personnel of the force.
- Congress boycotts Meghalaya Governor's Address in Assembly
In his address on the first day of the budget session, Tathagata Roy expressed concern and condemned the attack on the CRPF jawans at Pulwama.
- Take 'sustained and irreversible' actions against terrorists: US tells Pakistan
In Islamabad, the Interior Ministry on March 7 announced that a total of 121 members of the proscribed groups have so far been taken into "preventive detention" across Pakistan.
- Pakistan vows again to act against militants on its soil as global pressure grows
Previous vows by the Pakistan government to crack down on anti-India militant groups have largely come to nothing, with militant leaders living freely in Pakistan.
- Scheduled visit by Indo-Pak delegations will help in de-escalating tensions: Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14.
- China 'commends' Pakistan for showing restraint amid Indo-Pak tensions
China on March 6 dispatched its Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou to Islamabad to defuse the Indo-Pak tensions.
- NDA govt colossal failure on various counts in last 5 yrs: AICC Secretary Sanjay Dutt
Dutt, who is in charge of party affairs in Puducherry, referred to data released by Mumbai based think tank CMIE, which claimed that the unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent in February 2019.
- There should be no politics on Pulwama, Balakot : Nitish Kumar
Such things should not be spoken. There should be no politics on this issue which concerns national unity and integrity. The popular sentiment must be respected, the chief minister told reporters here.
- If slap can create terrorist, Kejriwal would have become bin Laden: Kapil Mishra on Pulwama attacker
The AAP supremo had pointed at the BJP for the attacks.
- Earlier, Pak used to return beheaded bodies of jawans, now they released pilot 'within 48 hrs': Amit Shah
"See the change now. Within 48 hours, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released and he is among us," Shah said while addressing party workers at a meeting.
- Digvijaya Singh calls Pulwama attack 'accident', draws flak
In a tweet earlier in the day, Singh said the foreign media had raised doubts over the air strike after the Pulwama "accident" and this has raised questions over the credibility of the Indian government.
- PM mixes Kochi with Karachi in speech, says mind preoccupied with Pakistan these days
In a quick come back, the PM clarifies that due to the constant security briefings and recent tensions with Pakistan, he cannot keep the neighbor off his mind
