Srinagar: Three years ago on this day, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the deadliest attacks on Indian security forces resulting in the death of 40 CRPF jawans. The martyrdom of the Indian bravehearts did not go in vain as the country avenged it by bombing several terror camps on Pakistani soil.
Pulwama terror attack
On February 14, 2019, a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting more than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was travelling on National Highway 44.
At Lethpora near Awantipora, around 3:15 pm, a bus carrying security personnel was rammed by a car carrying explosives. It caused a blast that killed 40 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion on the spot and injured many others.
Jaish claims responsibility
Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack. They also released a video of the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year-old from Kakapora who had joined the group a year earlier.
Indo-Pak ties deteriorate
Following the attack, India revoked Pakistan’s most favoured nation status while the customs duty on all Pakistani goods imported to India was raised to 200 per cent.
The government of India urged the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) to put Pakistan on the blacklist. On February 17, the Jammu and Kashmir administration revoked security provisions for separatist leaders.
India bombs terror camps in Pakistan
The IAF bombed JeM training camps killing a large number of terrorists, reportedly between 300 to 350.
Pakistan’s failed strike
On February 27, Pakistan Air Force conducted an airstrike into Jammu and Kashmir in retaliation to the Indian airstrike the day before. Both Pakistan and India agreed that no damage was caused by Pakistan’s airstrike.
However, in an ensuing dogfight between Indian and Pakistani jets, an Indian MiG-21 was shot down over Pakistan and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman was captured. Pakistan released him on March 1.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
