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 3:30 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 the destination before sunset.
At Lethapora near Awantipora, around 15:15 IST,[6] a bus carrying security personnel was
rammed by a Mahindra Scorpio SUV carrying explosives. It caused a blast which killed at
least 46 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion and injured many others. The injured were
moved to the army base hospital in Srinagar.[1]
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 alias Waqas Commando, a 22-year old high school dropout from Kakapora
who had joined the group a year ago. Pakistan denied any involvement and Jaish-eMohammed leader, Masood Azhar, roams free in that country.
It is the deadliest terror attack on state security personnel since 1989.
Investigation
The 12-member National Investigation Agency team will probe the attack along 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.
Reactions India •
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "The attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. The sacrifices of our brave For security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly," he said. He also said, "I pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama attack. Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery. Terrorists will pay a heavy price." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that a strong response will be given to the terror attack.
International
Nepal: Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condole the deaths of the security personnel.
Pakistan: In a press release by the foreign office, Pakistan officially denied the allegation of a link to the attack.
Russia: The Russian embassy in India issued a statement saying: "We denounce terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterate the need to combat these inhuman acts with decisive and collective response without any double standards. May we express sincere condolences to the grieving families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those injured."
Singapore: Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said, "I am saddened to hear of the brutal terror attack in Pulwama that has resulted in the tragic loss of life and injury. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the victims and families who have lost their loved ones. Singapore strongly condemns such senseless acts of terror and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India at this time. We also hope for a speedy recovery for those who have been injured."
Sri Lanka: President Maithripala Sirisena condemned the attack saying, "extremely saddened about dastardly terror attack killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force Jawans in Balawanapur, South Kashmir. The world must condemn such brutal terrorist attacks and take effective action to prevent such incidents in future." Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, calls it the worst since 1989.
UAE: The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the terrorist attack, offered condolences, and called on the international community to unify efforts in confronting extremism and terrorism that pose a threat to global security and stability.
USA: The United States Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted: "The U.S. Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it." France, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Maldives have also condemned the terror attack.
International organizations
United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric
said at the daily press briefing: "We strongly condemn today's attack in Jammu and
Kashmir's Pulwama district and express our deepest condolences to the families of those
who lost their lives and to the Government and people of India."
Investigation
The 12-member National Investigation Agency team will probe the attack along 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.
Reactions India •
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "The attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. The sacrifices of our brave For security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly," he said. He also said, "I pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama attack. Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery. Terrorists will pay a heavy price." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that a strong response will be given to the terror attack.
International
Nepal: Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condole the deaths of the security personnel.
Pakistan: In a press release by the foreign office, Pakistan officially denied the allegation of a link to the attack.
Russia: The Russian embassy in India issued a statement saying: "We denounce terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterate the need to combat these inhuman acts with decisive and collective response without any double standards. May we express sincere condolences to the grieving families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those injured."
Singapore: Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said, "I am saddened to hear of the brutal terror attack in Pulwama that has resulted in the tragic loss of life and injury. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the victims and families who have lost their loved ones. Singapore strongly condemns such senseless acts of terror and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India at this time. We also hope for a speedy recovery for those who have been injured."
Sri Lanka: President Maithripala Sirisena condemned the attack saying, "extremely saddened about dastardly terror attack killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force Jawans in Balawanapur, South Kashmir. The world must condemn such brutal terrorist attacks and take effective action to prevent such incidents in future." Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, calls it the worst since 1989.
UAE: The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the terrorist attack, offered condolences, and called on the international community to unify efforts in confronting extremism and terrorism that pose a threat to global security and stability.
USA: The United States Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted: "The U.S. Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it." France, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Maldives have also condemned the terror attack.
International organizations
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