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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.
- Singapore's Indian community pays homage to CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama terror attack
The Indian diaspora held a candle light vigil on February 22 in memory of the killed soldiers. Representatives from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the vigil, which was held at the Indian High Commission's Grange Road Complex near the business district here.
- Modi warns against harassment of Kashmiris, says every citizen's duty to protect them
Modi accused Imran Khan of not living up to the assertion he made after becoming Pakistan's prime minister, and also indirectly charged the Congress-led government in 2008 of not acting against that country after the Mumbai terror attack.
- Paramilitary jawans killed in action will get 'martyr' status if Congress voted to power: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi's comment comes days after 40 CRPF jawans were killed in the Pulwama terror attack.
- CoA chairman Vinod Rai calls for cricket community to “isolate Pakistan”
Rai said that the Indian cricket board is working on a long-term game plan which “reflected the present day sentiment of the nation.”
- Peace in the world not possible if terrorism continues: PM Narendra Modi
PM Modi said people in Kashmir have been suffering from terrorism for the last 40 years and they want peace too.
- RSS has now changed its stand from Ram temple to Kashmir: Shiv Sena
The Sena said the Sangh's changed approach in a way suits the country given the proposed mega alliance of Congress and other parties could never provide stability and bring peace in the country.
- BJP government functioning in an 'autocratic' manner: Akhilesh Yadav
The SP leader had claimed that he was stopped at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on February 12 by police to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend a programme at Allahabad University.
- Modi government doesn't want to accept there is 'job crisis': Rahul Gandhi
The Congress chief asserted that the state must pay for a large part of education of students.
- Failure of US, India to establish deterrence encouraged Pakistan to continue 'backing extremists': Report
The editorial underlined that Pakistan is unlikely to act on any evidence provided by India on the Pulwama attack.
- Bengaluru’s Karachi Bakery partially covers its signboard after mob demands name change
The bakery, faced wrath of protesters as it bears name of the namesake Pakistani city. The bakery was started by Khanchand Ramnani who had immigrated from Pakistan.
- India-Saudi statement mentions Pakistan talks but not Pulwama attack: Digvijay Singh
The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister alleged that the Centre was not serious about tackling terror.
- Pakistan writes to UNSC, accuses India of threatening regional security
India has decided to "stop" the flow of its share of water to Pakistan from rivers under the Indus Water Treaty.
- BJP spreading rumours about burqa wearing child lifters: Mamata Banerjee
The TMC chief, addressing an official function in Hooghly district, said the Pulwama terror strike could have been averted if correct steps were taken on time.
- India to exercise all options to win decisive battle against Pakistan: Arun Jaitley
Pakistan leadership, he said, is "riding a tiger on this issue and tiger never spares its own rider".
- Very, very bad situation between India and Pakistan: US President Donald Trump
The president said the US has improved ties with Pakistan and works are on for meetings with Pakistan leaders and officials.
- Congress' U-turn: How it went from questioning surgical strike to appointing its commander
The surgical strike was a retaliatory measure taken by the NDA government on the intervening night of September 29 -30, 2016 in response to the Uri attack that had killed 17 Indian soldiers in the same year
- Arun Jaitley takes a dig at Congress for appointing Lt Gen DS Hooda, says late acceptance of surgical strike
The finance minister attacked the Congress for “triviliasing” terrorism and warned the party against projecting a “divided India” to the world vis-à-vis fighting terrorism
- Pulwama fallout | Pakistan prepares for war amid fear of retaliation from Indian Army
The Pakistan army has warned residents along the LOC of retaliatory measure by India and asked hospitals to keep medical aid ready in an attempt to plan war logistics
- Mention of JeM in UNSC statement is only in general terms, not a judgement: China
China has been repeatedly blocking India and several other countries' efforts to bring about a global ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar in the UN's anti-terror 1267 committee.
- Pulwama fallout: Despite India's push for blacklisting, FATF keeps Pakistan on 'grey list' till October
Countries blacklisted by the FATF are under ‘high risk and other monitored jurisdiction’
