Two years of Pulwama terror attack: The day 40 CRPF jawans were martyred

February 14 marks the anniversary of Pulwama terror attack, one of the deadliest suicide bomb blasts, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in 2019. The assault was carried out by 22-year-old Adil Ahmed Dar, who attacked a convoy of 78 buses carrying 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.

Pakistani terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, claimed responsibility for the attack amid repeated denials from Pakistan. It was found that Dar joined the group a year earlier.

Also read: Grenade attack injures six in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama

The suicide bomber drove a Maruti Eeco through an alleyway onto the highway at around 3 pm and rammed his explosive car into one of the CRPF buses. Within seconds, 40 personnel were blown up and several were injured. Terrorist Dar died on the spot as well.

Raged by the brutality, India replied to the cowardly attack by carrying out an airstrike on Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp on January 26, 2019, known as the Balakot strike. 12 Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the Line Of Control (LOC) and destroyed terror camps in dense forests of Balakot, Pakistan. The strike reportedly killed 300 and 350 terrorists.

Also read: Pulwama terror attack truth accepted in Pak Parliament: PM Modi

Pulwama terror attack received worldwide condemnation and escalated tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. 

Of the 40 CRPF personnel martyred, 12 were from Uttar Pradesh, five from Rajasthan and four from Punjab. India will never forget their role and the sacrifice they made for the country.