Pulwama Attack anniversary: Remembering the devastating attack that claimed 40 lives
Everything you need to know about the Pulwama attack anniversary
Sunday, February 14 marks 2nd anniversary of gruesome Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. A group of vehicles carrying CRPF soldiers on the National Highway of Jammu-Srinagar was attacked by a suicide bomber at Lethpora, Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir. The attack claimed lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers.
Jaish-e-Mohammad bomber Adil Ahmed, 20, rammed his car loaded with 350 kg of the CRPF buses around 3 pm on this day, two years ago. The attack on the security personnel convoy carrying 2,500 soldiers in 78 buses shook the entire country.
Read more: Defence manufacturing in India, A look into how India is developing into a self-reliant nation
Changed strategy in troops movement
Two years after the attack, there have been few changes in the vigil strategy of the security forces. Troops movement are now done in coordination with the Army and other security forces. Central Reserve Police Force can now carry troops by air to avoid the possibility of such an attack. Many bunker-type vehicles are becoming common while moving soldiers.
After the attack, tensions flared up between India and Pakistan as protests erupted in India seeking revenge for the attack. Leaders across the party lines condemned the attack and called for a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said that he felt the same fire in the heart that’s raging inside people of India. He even said that all tears will be avenged and gave full freedom to the Indian Army to decide the time, place, nature and intensity of retaliation.
After the attack, India launched airstrikes on Jaish camps in Balakot in Pakistan occupied Kashmir region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region on February 26. A day later, India Air Force foiled an attempt from Pakistan Air Force to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. This led to a major dogfight and aerial skirmish between Indian Air Force and Pakistani Air Force fighters.
Abhinandan Varthaman got a hero welcome
Abhinandan Varthaman, Wing Commander, who was flying MIG-21 Bison fighter aircraft shot down F-16 (Pakistan’s much-advanced than MIG-21). His aircraft was hit and then he ejected from it and landed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, where he was captured by Pakistani Army. He was released by Pakistan within two days after pressure from India and the International community. Abhinandan got a hero welcome in India after he was released from Pakistan.
As per the Army, all conspirators of the Pulwama attack have been killed so far. Qari Yasir, from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, was the last one to be killed.
After the attack, several countries and United Nations condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to our country in the fight against terrorism. Even Pakistan’s all-weather friend, China also backed the UNSC resolution on the heinous and cowardly attack in Pulwama that was unanimously adopted by both the permanent and non-permanent member countries of the global body.
Last year on 14th February, the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the Central Reserve Police Force inaugurated a memorial at Lethpora camp in Srinagar to commemorate the soldiers. The names of all the 40 martyred soldiers along with their pictures became a part of the memorial along with the motto of the CRPF – “Seva and Nishtha’ – which converts to “Service and Loyalty” in English.
Have a news story, an interesting write-up or simply a suggestion? Write to us at info@oneworldnews.com
