Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to honor the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and commended their unwavering dedication to the nation.

February 14 is a day India remembers with pain and anger, one of the most deadly terrorist attacks on its security personnel. On this day in 2019, a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel. 

The attack shocked the country, resulting in diplomatic tensions, military strikes, and international repercussions.

The Pulwama Attack- Timeline

14th February, 2019

On 14 February 2019, a CRPF convoy of 78 vehicles was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. At 3:30 pm, 35 kilometers short of Srinagar, a suicide bomber in an explosive-packed SUV hit one of the buses in the convoy. 

The fatal explosion killed 40 jawans on the spot. Shortly afterward, JeM issued a video claiming responsibility for the attack and naming the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmad Dar, a Pulwama native from the Kakapora area. 

In a pre-recorded video on social media, Dar chillingly said, “By the time this video reaches you, I will be enjoying heaven… This is my last message to the people of Kashmir.”

15th February, 2019

The next day, February 15, 2019, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly criticized Pakistan and accused it of having terrorist organizations such as JeM. The government declared that the head of JeM, Masood Azhar, was freely moving in Pakistan without any sort of restrictions. Pakistan had denied any involvement, and China would not recognize Masood Azhar as a terrorist.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged retaliation, saying that the perpetrators would have "a very heavy price to pay" and that security personnel had been authorized to take full action against terror attacks. 

Demonstrations broke out across India, and curfews were enacted in Jammu to keep people indoors and stop violence. Soldiers were deployed in huge numbers to enforce the order.

16th February,2019

On February 16, 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached Srinagar to start its investigation, gathering forensic evidence. Political leaders from all parties meanwhile passed a resolution in favor of the security forces. India also raised customs duty on Pakistani goods by 200%.

Pakistan’s foreign minister tried to control the damage, offering cooperation in identifying those responsible if India provided evidence. However, India intensified diplomatic pressure, calling for Pakistan’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist and withdrawing Pakistan’s ‘Most Favored Nation’ trade status.

The Balakot airstrike

26th February, 2019

On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force carried out an early morning airstrike against JeM's terror camp in Balakot, situated in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area. 

For the first time since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Indian fighter aircraft had crossed the Line of Control (LoC). 12 Mirage 2000 aircraft were reportedly used in the operation, using 1,000 kg bombs against terror hideouts, targeting the JeM training camp.

27th February, 2019

A day after that, on February 27, 2019, Pakistan's F-16 fighter planes crossed into Indian airspace, targeting military bases. During the aerial combat, India lost a MiG-21 Bison flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, with Pakistan also saying one of its F-16s was destroyed. 

Abhinandan was detained by Pakistan, and reports initially said two Indian pilots were arrested. Later, though, Pakistan confirmed it had only one pilot.

February 28, 2019

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan declared on February 28, 2019, that Wing Commander Abhinandan would be let off as a "peace gesture." The same day, India presented evidence confirming the use of Pakistani F-16s in the airstrike against India. Abhinandan Varthaman returned to India via the Wagah border after being held for 60 hours in captivity. He was welcomed like a hero.

Pulwama investigation and chargesheet

In August 2020, the NIA, following an in-depth inquiry, presented a 13,800-page chargesheet before the special court at Jammu. The chargesheet accused JeM commanders Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar, and Ammar Alvi, in addition to nine local suspects. It had picked out Pakistani militant Umar Farooq as the mastermind of the attack, who later was killed, along with three other Pakistani terrorists.

February 14 is remembered as a "black day" in India to honor the lives lost in the Pulwama attack.

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