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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.
- Extremists, aided & abetted by State seeking to destabilise India, behind Pulwama attack: Navy chief
Addressing a gathering of global experts from defence sector and diplomats at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue, Lanba said the region had witnessed multiple forms of terrorism in recent years and few countries in this part of the world had been spared.
- At least four JeM terrorists caught between 2014-17 trained at Balakot: Report
A Jaish camp in Balakot, deep inside of Pakistan, was targetted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on February 26 in a "non-military preemptive strike".
- Congress targets Centre over Pulwama attack, asks how explosives reached there
Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera also wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent for over two hours after the terror attack in Pulwama which left 40 CRPF personnel dead on February 14.
- JeM's 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' brought India-Pakistan on brink of war twice in 20 years
India and Pakistan were almost on the brink of war in 2001 when the JeM attacked the Indian Parliament, and again now after the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF bus in Pulwama, which killed 40 jawans,
- Nirmala Sitharaman meets Wing Commander Abhinandan
During the meeting at a medical facility of the Indian Air Force, Varthaman is understood to have explained to Sitharaman details about his nearly 60 hour stay in Pakistan.
- TMC accuses BJP ministers of 'leaking exaggerated numbers' of air strike
The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC also claimed that no statistics given by the central government can be taken "seriously".
- Government issues alert to enhance security at all airports
Enhanced random check at the entry of terminal building, including utilization of bomb detection and disposal squads and dog squads at the entry point has been suggested.
- Indian pilot not released under 'any pressure': Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Qureshi dismissed the notion that the captured IAF pilot was released owing to pressure or as a compulsion.
- UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in outrage over Pulwama attack: Boris Johnson
IAF pilot Varthaman was handed over to India by Pakistan after being in captivity for nearly three days.
- Masood Azhar suspected to be afflicted with renal failure; undergoes regular dialysis
This suggestion of security officials came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the JeM chief is "unwell".
- UN chief Antonio Guterres welcomes IAF pilot's return to India from Pakistan captivity
The IAF Wing Commander returned to India from Pakistan on March 1 to a hero's welcome, nearly 60 hours after he was captured following a dogfight when his MiG 21 was shot down.
- France extends complete solidarity with India in fight against terrorism
The US, the UK and France on February 28 moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
- US intelligence report had warned of terror attack in India 15 days before Pulwama
The study has also anticipated increased risk of communal violence during the Lok Sabha elections if PM Narendra Modi’s BJP “stresses on Hindu nationalist schemes”
- 'Pulwama Terror Attack' to 'Balakot' to 'Surgical Strike 2.0': Producers rush to register patriotic film titles
Some other film titles include 'Josh' and 'How’s the Josh', proposed by Vikram Malhotra’s Abundantia Entertainment.
- As a tribute to IAF, Rajasthani couple names baby 'Mirage' after fighter jets
The father wants Mirage to grow up and join the Indian Armed Forces
- No politics over jawans' blood, but nation wants to know what happened in Balakot: Mamata Banerjee
She said, 'We have the right to know, people of this country want to know how many were killed (at Balakot). Where the bomb were actually dropped? Was it dropped on the target?'
- UN chief Antonio Guterres deeply concerned over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan
In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack by the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan.
- India hands over dossier to Pak with details of JeM role in Pulwama attack
Government sources have claimed that over 350 JeM terrorists were killed in the pre-dawn strike on the terror camps in Pakistan on Tuesday.
- Lata Mangeshkar announces Rs 1 crore help to Indian Army
The cheque will be given at the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards ceremony at the Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai on April 24.
- Terror funding cases: NIA carries out searches in south Kashmir
Incriminating materials, including diaries containing coded writings, have been seized, the NIA said.
