Pulwama Attack: India witnessed one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in which it lost 40 brave soldiers in 2019 on the same day the world was celebrating the week of love, Valentine’s Day. The deadliest attack, which was sponsored by a Pakistan-based terrorist module, killed a youth in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Even after four years have passed since the brutal attack, it is pertinent to document why India is actively highlighting Pakistan and its ulterior agenda against New Delhi in international fora.
What happened on 14 February 2019?
Addressing a press conference after the deadly attack, the then Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman busted how Pakistan-sponsored terrorists targeted innocent Indian soldiers, who were returning from leaves. According to Sitharaman, around 2,500 soldiers were returning via Pulwama to resume their duties in at least 70 vehicles.
However, the convoy was targeted by a vehicle driven by a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist, identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a local resident of Pulwama. According to the Defense Ministry, around 80 kg of high-grade RDX explosives were used in the suicide attack. Later, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack.
India retaliated on terrorist camps
Following the attack, India launched airstrikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Notably, the airstrike was the first time since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that warplanes had crossed the Line of Control. Subsequently, relations between the two countries saw a record low, with India accusing the neighboring country of harboring terrorists on its soil.
In fact, at several international fora, New Delhi raised the issue through its diplomatic channel and called for all-out pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror outfits.
This resulted in the international community condemning the attack, with many countries joining hands with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism. Apart from this, America, United Nations also raised this issue in their meeting and asked to bring the culprits to justice.
Nearly a year after the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two people for their alleged role in the attack. A total of five people have been arrested in this case so far.
Pulwama attack has always been the target of opposition parties
On several occasions, opposition parties alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the attack was carried out months before the country was to hold general elections.
Recently, a top leader of the National Conference (NC) again raised serious questions on the “motivation of the Modi government” behind the “fabricated” Uri and Pulwama attacks. NC Additional General Secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal had alleged in January this year that both the attacks were planned by the central government. Mustafa alleged that no soldier’s body or picture was found after the brutal attacks.
Congress asks for proof
On the other hand, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, while addressing a public rally in January this year, termed the surgical strike against Pakistan as a “fake claim” of the Bharatiya Janata Party and said there was “no evidence” to substantiate his claims. was not”.
During the rally, the veteran Congress leader claimed that the 2019 terror attack could have been avoided if the vehicle that attacked the CRPF was properly checked. “Why were they killed? The CRPF director had demanded to airlift CRPF personnel from Srinagar to Delhi as the area was sensitive but PM Modi declined the request. Why did he decline?” Singh asked the question.
No information given in Parliament
Alleging that Pulwama has become the epicenter of terrorism, he said, “Every car in the area is checked. Why was the Scorpio car not checked on that particular day? A vehicle comes from the wrong direction. Why is it checked?” The vehicle was checked and soon it collided with a CRPF van and 40 of our CRPF men were martyred.” Till now, information related to the incident was not given in Parliament nor was it given to the people,” Singh said. is aware of it.”
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