Srinagar: At least 38 security personnel were martyred and three were missing / not traceable after Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists targeted a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy with a car bomb in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, in one of the worst attack on security forces in the state ever. In a stern message to isolate Pakistan globally, India announced its decision to withdraw the 'Most Favoured Nation' status granted to Pakistan.
The dastardly attack was strongly condemned by the Indian government, with Prime Minister on Friday pledging that perpetrators of the cowardly attack will "pay a heavy price for it."
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Srinagar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement accused Pakistan for the attack and added that the JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar had been "given the freedom to target India." The international community, including the US, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Russia, and Bangladesh condemned the dastardly attack on Indian security personnel.
Notably, even as it condemned the Pulwama attack, Pakistan denied any involvement in it and said, "We strongly reject any insinuation by Indian media and government that seek to link the attack to Pakistan without investigations."
Pulwama terror attack: Pak 'ally' China again refuses to back India's bid to list Masood Azhar as 'global terrorist'
Pakistan's ally China on Friday once again backed its 'friend' and refused to suuport India's appeal to list the Pakistan-based terror group chief's Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by the UN. Condemning the incidnet, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang said, "China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the injured and bereaved families." As a member of the UNSC with veto power, China, which is Pakistan's closes ally, has time and again blocked India's request to list Azhar as a global terrorist, claiming that there was no nonsenus in the crucial orgaon of the world body on this matter.
Rajnath SIngh arrives in Srinagar
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Earlier in the day, Singh had participated in the Cabinet meeting on Security, which was chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
Pulwama terror attack: Pakistan High Commissioner to India summoned by MEA
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Earlier in the day, anti-Pakistan slogans were raised by protesters who staged agitation against Pakistan over Pulwama attack, outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Sources told news agency ANI that the Foriegn Secretary had conveyed that Pakistan must take "immediate and verifiable" action against the JeM, adding that it must "immediately stop groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories." The Foreign Secretary also dismissed the official statement by the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan yesterday.
Kashmir terror attack: Movement of security forces' convoys halted in Kashmir for today
In the aftermath of the deadly Pulwama attack that cost the lives of at least 38 CRPF jawans, authorities have decided to halt movement of convoys of security forces in the Kashmir Valley for Friday. Notably, reports suggested that the Army was mulling the option of stopping civilian vehicular movement when convoys were on the move.
Pulwama terror attack: PM Modi vows to avenge dastardly attack, 'forces will decide what to do'
PM Narendra Modi on Friday afternoon repeated his warning to Pakistan for Pulwama terror attack, while addressing a public gathering at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. "Every Indian is angry after attack. I have no doubt about bravery of our soldiers," PM Modi said, adding 'Pulwama conspirators will have to pay." Slamming Pakistan, PM Modi said that security forces had been given a " free hand" to deal with the situation.
Pulwama terror attack: Protests erupt outside Pakistan High Commission
Protests erupted outside the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital, agitating against the cowardly attack against the CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, which left at least 38 CRPF jawans dead. Security was beefed up at the Pakistan High Commission. However, reports said that the agitation had been brought under control.
Pulwama terror attack: 'Need a permanent solution through dialogue,' says Sidhu
Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday condemned the Pulwama terror attack, adding that the situation needed a permanent solution "through dialogue." He said, " It is condemnable, it's a cowardly act. It needs a permanent solution through dialogue, how long will the Jawans sacrifice their lives? How long will the bloodshed continue? People who do this must be punished. Hurling abuses won't help."
