Today marks the 6th anniversary of the Pulwama attack, a tragic day in India's history. On 14th February 2019, a devastating terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, leaving the nation in mourning.
Jaish-e-Mohammed had taken the responsibility for this terror attack. Following this attack, India carried out a surgical strike against Pakistan. It may have been 6 years since the Pulwama terror attack but the pain is still fresh in people's minds.
Pulwama Attack:
On 14th February 20219, a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was going from Jammu to Srinagar via Srinagar-National Highway of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, near in Awantipora, a vehicle was passing right next to the buses involved in the convoy (Pulwama Attack).
The army personnel were repeatedly asking the car driver to stay away from the convoy. But the car driver was ignoring this announcement. Before the soldiers could understand anything, the car hit the bus in the convoy. After which a loud explosion took place and 40 soldiers were martyred in this attack.
This attack was carried out by terrorists in Awantipora on Srinagar National Highway. There were more than 60 military vehicles in the CRPF convoy. About 2547 soldiers were present in these vehicles. The car that collided with the vehicles was filled with explosives. As soon as the car collided with the military buses, a massive explosion took place.
This blast was so dangerous that its sound was heard several kilometres away. During that time, the environment around Pulwama was covered with fire and smoke. A total of 40 soldiers were martyred in the attack.
The explosion was so powerful that many buses were badly damaged. Pakistan's terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed had taken responsibility for this attack. This attack shook the country to its core.
After the Pulwama attack, the Indian Army and the Government of India together challenged the terrorists. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that he feels the same fire in my heart that is burning inside the people.
India’s Response:
Exactly 12 days after the terrorist attack in Pulwama, India carried out an airstrike in Balakot, Pakistan late on the night of 25th February. In this attack, the army killed about 300 Pakistani terrorists.
According to the government's claim, 2 thousand Air Force planes dropped about 1000 kg bombs on the terrorist camps in the area. The attack was named Balakot Air Strike.
During this operation, India's MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft also shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet. In this attack, India's MiG-21 fighter aircraft was damaged in the Balakot airstrike and fell into Pakistan and Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman present in it was captured by the Pakistani army. However, Abhinandan Vardhaman was released by Pakistan on 1st March 2019 and the Indian government awarded Abhinandan Vardhaman the 'Vir Chakra'.