February 14, known worldwide as a day of love and celebration, marked a tragic chapter in India’s history in 2019. On this fateful day, the nation was plunged into mourning as forty brave security personnel lost their lives in a brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.
The cowardly act of terrorism brought the nation to a standstill, prompting calls for decisive action and justice for the fallen heroes.
What happened on Feb 14, 2019
As news of the attack unfolded on television screens across the nation, the chilling details and heart-wrenching cries of the families left an indelible mark on the collective conscience. Led by the Pakistan-based terror organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and its internationally proscribed leader Masood Azhar, the terrorists targeted a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying over 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.
The convoy, scheduled to reach its destination before sunset, was struck by a car laden with explosives near Lethapora in Pulwama. The attack claimed the lives of forty security personnel and injured many others, leaving families devastated and the nation in mourning.
The Balakote Airstrike and aftermath
In response to the Pulwama attack, India gave a be-fitting reply to Pakistan. The nation conducted airstrikes on a JeM training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26, 2019. The Indian Air Force targeted the camp, claiming to have killed a significant number of terrorists. The following day, Pakistan retaliated with an airstrike into Jammu and Kashmir, escalating tensions between the two nations.
During the ensuing conflict, an Indian MiG-21 was shot down over Pakistan, and its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured. Varthaman was later released from Pakistani captivity on humanitarian grounds and returned to India on March 1, 2019.
PM Modi pays tribute to the fallen soldiers
On the fifth anniversary of the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, honoring their sacrifice for the nation.
“I pay homage to the brave heroes who were martyred in Pulwama. Their service and sacrifice for our nation will always be remembered,” PM Modi said.
Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the sentiment, expressing gratitude to the bravehearts who laid down their lives in service of the motherland.
“I bow to the valorous martyrs of Pulwama, who laid down their lives for our motherland. Their supreme sacrifice will always be remembered. Nation will forever remain indebted to our bravehearts,” Shah said.
