PULWAMA ATTACK 2k19
PULWAMA ATTACK 2k19
On 14 February 2019,a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. A Jaish-e-Mohammed member named Adil Ahmad Dar, a Kashmiri local, was identified as the attacker.
On 14 February 2019,a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. A Jaish-e-Mohammed member named Adil Ahmad Dar, a Kashmiri local, was identified as the attacker.
On 14 February 2019, a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting more than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was traveling on National Highway 44. The convoy had left Jammu around 03:30 IST and was carrying a large number of personnel due to the highway having been shut down for two days prior. The convoy was scheduled to reach its destination before sunset.
At Lethpora near Awantipora, around 15:15 IST,a bus carrying security personnel was rammed by a Mahindra Scorpio SUV carrying explosives. It caused a blast which killed 40 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion and injured many others. The injured were moved to the army base hospital in Srinagar.
Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. They also released a video of the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar (alias Adil Ahmad Gaadi Takranewala or Waqas Commando), a 22-year old from Kakapora who had joined the group a year earlier.Dar's family had last seen him in March 2018, when he left his house on a bicycle one day and never returned.Pakistan denied any involvement, though Jaish-e-Mohammed’s leader, Masood Azhar,roams free in the country.
It is the deadliest terror attack on India's state security personnel in Kashmir since 1989.
Investigtion
The National Investigation Agency dispatched a 12-member team to probe the attack, working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Initial investigations suggested the car was carrying more than 300 kilograms (660 lb) of explosives,including 80 kilograms (180 lb) of RDX, a high explosive,and ammonium nitrate.Lt Gen Hooda said that the explosives might have been stolen from a construction site. He initially said that it was not possible that they were smuggled from across the border, but later said that he could not rule it out.
Aftermath
State funerals of security personnel killed in the attack were held in their respective native places.The government of Punjab announced ex gratia compensation of Rs.12 lakh (US$17,000) each to the families of the killed security personnel from the state and a government job to the next of kin.India revoked Pakistan's most favoured nation status.The customs duty on all Pakistani goods imported to India were raised to 200 per cent.The government of India plans to provide the Financial Action Task Force on Money Launderin with a dossier outlining Pakistan's involvement in the attack.On 17 February, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir revoked security provisions for separatist leaders.
Protests bandhs and candle light marches were held across India.There were violent protests in Jammu resulting in a curfew being imposed starting 14 February. The Indian community in the United Kingdom held protests outside the Pakistan High Commission in London.A delegation of Indian doctors cancelled their visit to Pakistan for the 13th Association of Anaesthesiologists Congress, organized by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, in Lahore on 7 March.
Following intelligence inputs, in the early morning hours of 18 February, a joint team comprising 55 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group of India killed two terrorists and two terrorist abettors in an anti-terrorism encounter operation in the ensuing manhunt for the perpetrators in Pulwama. One of them, Abdul Rasheed Ghazi alias Kamran, was identified as a Pakistani national and was considered the mastermind of the attack and a commander of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM).In addition, local JeM recruit Hilal Ahmed, along with two sympathisers who housed Ghazi and Ahmed to evade capture, were also shot dead in the encounter. Four Indian servicemen were killed in the gunfight.
Reaction-India & Pakistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that a strong response will be given to the terror attack.India blamed Pakistan for the attack.BBC News has said that the involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in the bombing "directly links" Pakistan to the attack, while also pointing out that Jaish-e-Mohammed had attacked Pakistani military targets in the past.It is widely accepted among security analysts that Jaish-e-Mohammed is the creation of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.Pakistan banned the group in 2002,but it has resurfaced under different names and retains ISI's support.Pakistan banned the group in 2002,but it has resurfaced under different names and retains ISI's support.
The Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley has said that India would completely isolate Pakistan in the diplomatic community.Indian broadcaster DSport said it would no longer broadcast Pakistan Super League cricket matches.The All Indian Cine Workers Association announced a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists in the Indian Film industry, and stated that strong action would be taken on any organisation violating it.The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association also announced a ban on Pakistani artists in films and music produced in India.
Pakistan's federal information minister, said that Pakistan was taking action against Jaish-e-Muhammad and that Pakistan would be able to assist India in taking action against terrorist groups.
On 19 February 2019, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan said that providing safe haven to terrorists was not in Pakistan's interest.He asked for proof of Pakistani involvement and warned India that any military response would be met with retaliation. Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded by criticizing him for not condemning the attack and not offering any condolences for the victims.
