The Pulwama attack, which took place on February 14, 2019, was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. A convoy of vehicles carrying Indian paramilitary troops was targeted by a suicide bomber, resulting in the deaths of 40 security personnel.
The attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which operates in Jammu and Kashmir and is considered a major threat to India’s national security. The group was founded in 2000 by Masood Azhar, a former leader of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen group, who was released from an Indian jail in exchange for hostages on an Indian Airlines flight hijacked to Kandahar in 1999.
The Pulwama attack was carried out by Adil Ahmad Dar, a local Kashmiri youth who had joined the JeM. Dar had been radicalized by the group’s propaganda and had been in touch with its operatives through social media. He was provided with the explosives and the vehicle for the attack by the JeM.
The attack led to a major escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. India blamed Pakistan for providing support to the JeM and demanded that it take action against the group. Pakistan denied any involvement and condemned the attack. However, India was not satisfied with Pakistan’s response and launched airstrikes on JeM camps in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26, 2019.
The Balakot airstrikes were the first time that Indian fighter jets had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) since the 1971 war. The strikes were seen as a major success by the Indian government, as they destroyed a significant number of JeM camps and killed a large number of militants.
The Pulwama attack and the subsequent Balakot airstrikes had a number of consequences. They led to a further deterioration of India-Pakistan relations and raised concerns about a potential military conflict between the two countries. The attack also raised questions about the effectiveness of India’s counterterrorism strategy in Jammu and Kashmir and the need for greater cooperation between Indian security agencies.
In conclusion, the Pulwama attack was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences for India and Pakistan. While the attack was carried out by a local Kashmiri youth, it was orchestrated by a Pakistan-based terrorist group that continues to pose a threat to India’s national security. The attack and its aftermath highlight the need for greater cooperation between India and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and the importance of addressing the root causes of radicalization in Jammu and Kashmir.
