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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.
- PM Modi continued shooting for documentary after Pulwama attack: Congress
There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister's Office and the BJP over the allegations.
- Jawans don't get 'martyr status', Anil Ambani gets 30,000 crore in PM Modi's New India: Rahul Gandhi
The government as well as Anil Ambani have denied all allegations.
- People don't want Kashmiris to be part of Indians, irony is depressing: P Chidambaram
The former home and finance minister also took a dig at Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy's statement that he favoured a call for the boycott of Kashmiri products and visiting the state as tourists.
- SC to hear PIL seeking protection of Kashmiri students on February 22
Forty 40 CRPF personnel were killed in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, in a terror attack allegedly carried out by banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.
- Shiv Sena questions India's response to Pulwama terror attack
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana also asked the Modi government not to depend on the US and European countries to condemn the attack.
- Pulwama LIVE: MHA allows entitlement of air travel to all CAPF personnel
Live updates of the Pulwama terror attack aftermath
- Twitter-happy Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy is not new to controversies
In November 2018, Roy whipped up a controversy after he tweeted about the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and "slaughter of innocents (except Muslims)"
- All the times Pakistan vowed to take action: What came off them and where do the cases stand now?
Similar promises were made after the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai as well as the 2001 Parliament attack
- Imran Khan should be given opportunity: Mehbooba Mufti on Pakistan PM seeking proof
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, however, said Pakistan has not acted on the evidence given to it on Pathankot and Mumbai terror attacks.
- Pakistani prisoner allegedly killed in Jaipur central jail
The incident comes days after 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a deadly terror attack in Pulwama
- Complicity of Pakistan in Pulwama strike underlined during India-Saudi Arabia talks: MEA
Briefing reporters on the crown prince's visit and on the issues discussed during the talks, T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said the two leaders also called upon countries to renounce use of terrorism as a state policy.
- Should India really embrace Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit?
Before coming to India, MBS was on a two-day visit to Islamabad where he announced investments worth of $20 billion
- Pulwama attack: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan meets Rajnath Singh
India's Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla too called on the home minister and discussed bilateral issues.
- Need for change in mindset of Arunachal legislators: Pema Khandu
CM Khandu said the onus lies on better planning and execution of work with judicious utilisation of funds for Arunachal Pradesh to emerge as a developed state.
- Congress MP bats for a wall between Indo-Pak just like what Trump wants on US-Mexico border
Justifying his proposal, the Congress MP said this will help in controlling the infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan
- PM Modi's government can give befitting reply to Pak-backed terrorism: Yogi Adityanath
Addressing a BJP meeting in this western Odisha town, the firebrand leader said the NDA government is determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism with active support of all.
- Saudi crown prince says terrorism a common concern with India
Speaking at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia was ready for political cooperation with India.
- Pulwama terror attack: No threat to Kashmiri students, says Prakash Javadekar
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on February 18 asked students outside the state to not pay heed to any rumours and try to stay put at their respective places.
- Teacher from Guwahati goes missing after receiving rape, death threats over comments on Pulwama attack
The teacher, as per the report, was summoned in Chandmari police station on Monday with regard to the case registered against her under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66 of the IT Act.
- Antonio Guterres stresses importance for India, Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint
Last week, Guterres had "strongly" condemned the terror attack against security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, perpetrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, calling for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.
