Pulwama Terror Attack Anniversary: Timeline Of What Happened On February 14, 2019, And After

A suicide bomber from JeM drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy passing through Pulwama's Lethpora area on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on the afternoon of February 14, 2019.

India considers February 14 a "black day" due to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Indian security forces, and India was brought to a standstill when the deaths were reported. A suicide bomber from Jaish-e-Mohammad drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy passing through Pulwama's Lethpora area on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on the afternoon of February 14, 2019. 

Here's a timeline of the Pulwama terror attack:

February 14, 2019: A convoy of CRPF personnel, travelling in 78 vehicles, was moving from Jammu to Srinagar on February 14, 2019. Around 3.30 pm, when the convoy was only about 35 km from Srinagar city, a suicide bomber driving an SUV reportedly emerged from a side road and rammed into it, hitting two of the buses. JeM released a video shortly after, claiming responsibility for the attack. The suicide bomber, identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, was a Class 12 dropout local Kashmiri from Gundibagh, Kakapora, in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir. In the pre-recorded video released on social media, Dar could be heard saying: “By the time this video reaches you, I will be enjoying heaven… This is my last message to the people of Kashmir.”

February 15, 2019: In a press release on February 15, 2019, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism. It said Masood Azhar, the JeM's leader, had been granted complete freedom to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas and carry out attacks in India and elsewhere without fear of reprisals. Pakistan denied India's claims that it participated in the Pulwama attack. China maintained that Masood Azhar did not belong to a terrorist organisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said those responsible will pay "a very heavy price" and that security forces will be given free rein to deal with terrorists, warning Pakistan that it cannot weaken India by orchestrating such attacks. Curfews were enforced in Jammu as a precaution following protests over the Pulwama terror attack. Military forces were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.

February 16, 2019: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived in Srinagar and collected samples and forensic evidence to begin a probe. Political parties unanimously passed a resolution to support the security forces, shortly after which customs duty on all Pakistani goods was increased to 200 percent. At least seven persons were detained from Pulwama with alleged connections with JeM. India launched a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. As India raised the stakes, Pakistan's foreign minister offered assurances that his country was ready to work with India to identify the perpetrators of the deadly attack if Pakistan was willing to share evidence of Pakistan's involvement.

India-Pakistan Ties Deteriorate, India Conducts Balakot Airstrike

Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated as a result of the attack. India took away Pakistan's status as its most preferred nation and increased the customs duty on all Pakistani goods imported into India to 200%. The government also demanded that Pakistan be added to the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) blacklist. The Jammu and Kashmir administration ended security measures for separatist leaders on February 17.

February 26, 2019: In the early hours, Indian Air Force jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 days after the Pulwama attack. Since the 1971 India-Pakistan War, this was the first time an attack plane had crossed the Line of Control. As many as 12 Mirage 2000 aircraft were involved in the operation, according to reports. An operation to drop 1,000-kg bombs on Jaish-e-Mohammad camps in Pakistan and across the LoC was carried out. The JeM camp in Pakistan's Balakot sector was said to have been "completely destroyed" as a result of the operation.

February 27, 2019: Pakistani F-16s entered Indian airspace on February 27, 2019. They were said to be targeting Indian military facilities, according to reports. One F-16 aircraft and two Indian MiG-21 Bisons were destroyed. Pakistan claimed to have taken two pilots from the IAF. Later, it changed its statement to say that Pakistan only had the custody of one IAF pilot. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured after the MiG-21 Bison he was flying was shot down by Pakistan. The MEA confirmed the absence of one IAF pilot from action.

February 28, 2019: Imran Khan made an announcement on February 28 that Pakistan would release Wing Commander Abhinandan. At a press conference, the chiefs of three services showed evidence that Pakistani F-16s were used against India in an airstrike on February 27.

February 28, 2019: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to India after 60 hours in captivity.

August 2020: The NIA, which was probing the Pulwama attack, filed a 13,800-page chargesheet before a special court in Jammu. The chargesheet named Pakistan-based Jaish leaders Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar, and Ammar Alvi as accused, besides nine local suspects. Alleged mastermind Umar Farooq was among the four Pakistani terrorists who were subsequently killed.