PM Modi and Vice President Honor Pulwama Attack Martyrs on Seventh Anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the soldiers who were killed in the devastating Pulwama terror attack seven years ago, referring to them as "brave heroes" whose sacrifice remains eternally significant.
Heartfelt Tributes from the Nation's Leadership
In a poignant message shared on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi expressed profound reverence for the fallen personnel. "Remembering the brave heroes who laid down their lives in Pulwama on this day in 2019," he wrote. "Their devotion, resolve and service to the nation remain forever etched in our collective consciousness. Every Indian draws strength from their enduring courage."
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also commemorated the seventh anniversary of the attack with a tribute that echoed similar sentiments. "I pay homage to the brave personnel who laid down their lives in the Pulwama terror attack," he stated. "Their supreme sacrifice will forever remain etched in the nation's memory and continues to inspire us to build a strong and secure India."
Recalling the Tragic Events of February 14, 2019
On February 14, 2019, the Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks in Indian history. A convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) traveling along the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway was targeted in a horrific suicide bombing, resulting in the tragic loss of 40 personnel. This date has since been remembered as a "Black Day" in the country's security narrative.
The convoy consisted of 78 buses carrying nearly 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar when an explosives-laden vehicle deliberately rammed into one of the buses, causing massive casualties and widespread destruction. The attack drew immediate and widespread international condemnation and prompted an urgent tightening of security protocols across Jammu and Kashmir.
Aftermath and Global Implications
The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the assault, with local media reports indicating that a suicide bomber carried out the devastating attack. In response, India initiated a series of decisive counter-terror measures, most notably conducting airstrikes on alleged terror training camps across the border in Pakistan. This military action marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries.
Beyond its immediate and tragic impact, the Pulwama attack reignited global debates over critical issues including cross-border terrorism, ongoing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, and the broader, complex security dynamics between India and Pakistan. The legacy of the attack continues to shape security policies and national remembrance.
