7 years of Pulwama attack: Remembering the Martyrs and India’s Balakot response

February 14, 2019, remains etched in India’s memory as one of the most devastating days in its battle against terrorism. On that afternoon, a suicide bomber named Adil Ahmad Dar rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. 

The powerful blast killed 40 CRPF personnel, making it one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian security forces in recent decades.

The Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) soon claimed responsibility for the attack. The convoy, consisting of more than 2,500 personnel travelling in multiple vehicles, was ambushed near Lethapora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. 

Investigators later determined that the attacker had used a Maruti EECO vehicle, which had been acquired earlier in 2019 and modified to carry nearly 200 kilograms of explosives, including RDX and gelatin sticks. The scale of the blast and the precision of the attack highlighted the level of planning involved.

India’s Retaliation: Operation Balakot

In response to the Pulwama attack, India launched a major military operation on February 26, 2019, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure across the border. The mission, codenamed ‘Operation Bandar’, marked a historic moment as it was the first time since the 1971 war that Indian fighter aircraft carried out airstrikes deep inside Pakistani territory.

A formation of 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force took off in the early hours, equipped with advanced SPICE 2000 precision-guided bombs and Crystal Maze missiles. The operation was carefully coordinated to strike terrorist targets while avoiding civilian and military installations.

JeM Training Camp Targeted

The primary target of the airstrike was JeM’s largest training facility located in Balakot, Pakistan. The camp was believed to be a major centre for recruiting and training terrorists. Indian authorities stated that the strike successfully eliminated a significant number of terrorists, trainers, and senior operatives associated with the group.

Pakistan, however, rejected India’s claims, asserting that the bombs had landed in a remote forested area and did not result in any casualties. The differing narratives added to the tension between the two nations and drew global attention.

Escalation And Subsequent De-Escalation

The Balakot airstrike triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan. On February 27, Pakistan launched retaliatory air operations targeting areas in Indian-administered Kashmir. During the aerial confrontation that followed, an Indian MiG-21 Bison fighter jet was shot down, and its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured by Pakistani forces.

The incident significantly heightened tensions, raising fears of a wider military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. However, diplomatic efforts from the international community played a crucial role in easing the situation. Pakistan eventually released Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, describing the move as a gesture aimed at reducing tensions.

International Response And Diplomatic Impact

The Pulwama terror attack and India’s subsequent airstrike in Balakot drew widespread international reaction. Several countries strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.

The United States, in particular, voiced clear support. Then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed solidarity with India, while then National Security Advisor John Bolton acknowledged India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism. The developments placed terrorism and regional security at the centre of global diplomatic discussions.

Seven years later, the Pulwama attack continues to stand as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by India’s security forces. The events that followed, including the Balakot airstrike, marked a significant moment in India’s response to terrorism, reflecting both the gravity of the loss and the country’s determination to act against those responsible.