Six Years Of Pulwama Attack: What Happened On February 14, 2019? How Did India Retaliate?

As India marks the 6th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack, here’s a recollection of what unfolded on the dark date of February 14.

Pulwama attack: What happened on 14 February, 2019?

On the afternoon of February 14, 2019, a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway when the van crashed into it, causing a massive explosion that claimed the lives of 40 soldiers. The explosive-laden truck was being driven by Adil Ahmad Dar, a member of the Pakistani extremist group Jaish-e-Mohammad.

A charge sheet was also filed against 19 accused, including JeM chief Masood Azhar.

The investigations revealed that the Pulwama attack was a result of a well-planned criminal conspiracy, led by JeM which had been sending their cadres to terrorist training camps in Afghanistan.

The main accused, Mohammad Umar Farooq, also visited Afghanistan for explosives training between 2016-17 and later infiltrated India through the International Border at the Jammu-Samba sector to take over Jaish-e-Mohammad, Commander of Pulwama.

Umar, along with his Pakistani and local associates, planned and prepared for the attack on the security forces using IEDs. After collecting the explosive materials, a Maruti EECO car was purchased in 2019 to carry out the attack and was kept in the front yard of one of the accused.

While the National Highway was closed due to heavy snowfall, it was reopened on February 14, 2019, when Adil Ahmad Dar took charge of the vehicle. He carried out the suicide attack by ramming his car with 200 kgs of high-grade explosives into the bus of the CRPF convoy.

NIA also revealed the involvement of JeM leadership including Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar, and Ammar Alvi who were continuously giving directions to the Pakistani terrorists, both before and after the attack.

India’s response to Pulwama attack

India strongly condemned the “cowardly attacks" on the security forces in Pulwama, calling it out as “heinous and despicable." Stating that the government remains resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism, it also demanded Pakistan to stop supporting terrorist groups from operating from their territory.

In a strong retaliation to the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried out the highly successful airstrikes code-named Operation Bandar on February 26, 2019, marking the first since the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

Based on intel reports about JeM’s other suicide terror attacks in parts of the country, India led the operation strike on the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. During this operation, a large number of JeM terrorists along with trainers, senior commanders, and groups of Jihadis who are being trained for attacks were eliminated.

The Minister of External Affairs stated that the Balakot facility was being headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

2019 Pulwama Attack: Key Facts

1. The National Investigation Agency accused 19 people in connection with the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy.
2. The conspiracy for the attack was planned for over two years under the leadership of JeM.
3. Pakistani terrorists infiltrated India with RDX to create explosives.
4. The van used in the Pulwama terror attack was purchased by Sajjad Ahmad Bhat in January 2019 and was kept in the front yard of another accused Shakir Bashir.
5. The IED was prepared in the first week of February 2019 using RDX, gelatin sticks, aluminium powder, and calcium-ammonium nitrate.
6. The terrorist group planned another suicide attack; however, it was averted following the Balakot airstrikes.

Pulwama Attack: Quotes to remember the martyred soldiers

• This attack on our soldiers will never be forgotten. It will only strengthen our resolve to fight terrorism
• Let us bow our heads and thank our soldiers for the supreme sacrifice they made on the dark, fateful day. Jai Hind!
• We salute the martyrs of Pulwama and honour the ultimate sacrifice made by them for the safety of this nation. Jai Hind!
• The sacrifice our bravehearts made will always be etched in our hearts. Never forgive, never forget.
• With gratitude in our hearts, let us pray and remember the heroes who laid down their lives while protecting our country.
• Flowers above the coffins are screaming angrily, and the tricolor around our soldier is weeping silently. Salute to all CRPF jawans of the Pulwama attack. Jai Hind!