The Pulwama attack, which took place on February 14, 2019, was one of the deadliest terror attacks targeting Indian security forces. A vehicle filled with explosives rammed into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), resulting in the martyrdom of 40 CRPF personnel. The attack was carried out by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. In the aftermath of this tragic incident, February 14 is observed as a day of mourning in India. The day is considered to be a Black Day from then! The attack led to widespread outrage across the nation, prompting India to take strong retaliatory action with the Balakot airstrike.
Pulwama Attack
It’s been 6 long years after the terrorists did a suicide attack on the convoy of the Indian paramilitary force Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. 40 soldiers were martyred in this attack. While the Indian convoy was heading to Srinagar, a vehicle loaded with explosives hit the convoy. A 22-year-old suicide bomber was one who targeted the bus. The bus was part of a larger convoy of 2,500 paramilitary troops and 78 vehicles travelling from Jammu to Srinagar on NH44.
Who Targeted The Bus
22-year-old suicide bomber was identified as Adil Ahmed Dar, a local Kashmiri jihadist from Kakapora in the Pulwama area of South Kashmir. He was affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad.
The attack sent shockwaves of grief throughout the country and is remembered as one of the deadliest assaults on Indian security forces. The Pulwama tragedy reignited intense discussions around terrorism and security concerns, marking a significant turning point in India’s history.
National Grief – Black Day
Since the Pulwama attack, tribute gatherings are held every year across the country on February 14 to honor the martyrs, and the day is observed as “Black Day.” The attack not only dealt a blow to the morale of the security forces but also brought the nation’s citizens together in a unified stand against terrorism. In response, the government took significant steps to bolster security measures, including strengthening border security, intensifying action against terrorists, and equipping the forces with advanced, state-of-the-art technology.
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.
Modus Operandi
A Maruti EECO car, bought in early 2019, was specially modified for the attack and packed with about 200 kg of high-grade explosives, including RDX and gelatin sticks. Key figures from JeM, such as Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar, and Ammar Alvi, were instrumental in planning and orchestrating the attack.
Retaliation By Indian Air Force – Operation Balakot
India took a firm stance at both the political and diplomatic levels. 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.
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.
The sacrifice of the 40 CRPF soldiers in the Pulwama attack is honored with deep respect and gratitude. India remains steadfast in its fight against terrorism, making sure that such heinous acts are never forgotten and that those responsible are held accountable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi Pays Tribute To Soldiers
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said, “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.”
