2019 Pulwama attack: Difference between revisions

The '''2019 Pulwama attack''' occurred on 14 February 2019, when a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the [[Jammu-Srinagar National Highway|Jammu–Srinagar National Highway]] was attacked by a vehicle-borne [[Suicide attack|suicide bomber]] at [[Lethapora]] in the [[Pulwama district]] of the erstwhile [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|state of Jammu and Kashmir]]. The attack killed 40 Indian [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF){{efn|name=CRPF}} personnel as well as the perpetrator—Adil Ahmad Dar—who was a local [[Kashmiris|Kashmiri]] youth from the Pulwama district.<ref name="BBC isolate" /><ref name="IT everything">{{Cite web |title=Pulwama Attack 2019, everything about J&K terror attack on CRPF by terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, Jaish-e-Mohammad |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pulwama-attack-2019-everything-about-jammu-and-kashmir-terror-attack-on-crpf-by-terrorist-adil-ahmed-dar-jaish-e-mohammad-1457530-2019-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218104624/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pulwama-attack-2019-everything-about-jammu-and-kashmir-terror-attack-on-crpf-by-terrorist-adil-ahmed-dar-jaish-e-mohammad-1457530-2019-02-16 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the [[Pakistan]]-based [[Islamism|Islamist]] terrorist<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhattacharjee|first=Yudhijit|date=2020-03-19|title=The Terrorist Who Got Away|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/magazine/masood-azhar-jaish.html|access-date=2020-12-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> group, [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]].<ref name="TOI attack"/> [[India]] blamed neighbouring [[Pakistan]] for the attack, while the latter condemned the attack and denied having any connections to it.<ref name=condemned/> The attack dealt a severe blow to [[India–Pakistan relations]], consequently resulting in the [[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2019 India–Pakistan military standoff]]. Subsequently, Indian investigations identified 19 accused. By August 2021, the main accused along with six others had been killed, and seven had been arrested.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Masood|first=Bashaarat|date=2021-08-01|title=Pulwama attack prime accused, kin of Jaish's Masood Azhar, killed in encounter|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-militants-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-jammu-kashmir-pulwama-7431294/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-02|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044551/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-militants-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-jammu-kashmir-pulwama-7431294/ |archive-date=31 July 2021 }}</ref>

 

Indian government ignored at least eleven intelligence inputs from multiple sources, including by the Indian intelligence agency [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] and Kashmir Police, before the attack. [[Satya Pal Malik]], who was the governor of the state at the time, later alleged in an interview with [[Karan Thapar]] that the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] asked him to remain silent on security lapses by his administration.<ref name="frontline government ignored 11 inputs">{{cite news |last1=Bhakto |first1=Anando |title=Eleven intelligence inputs warning of Pulwama attack were ignored |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/pulwama-attack-intelligence-inputs-ignored-national-security-leak-compromise-balakot-bjp-win-2019/article64755942.ece |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 Feb 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721211517/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/pulwama-attack-intelligence-inputs-ignored-national-security-leak-compromise-balakot-bjp-win-2019/article64755942.ece |archive-date=22 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Scroll |title=Narendra Modi told me to stay silent about lapses that led to Pulwama attack, claims ex-J&K governor |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1047394/narendra-modi-told-me-to-stay-silent-about-lapses-that-led-to-pulwama-attack-claims-ex-j-k-governor |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[Scroll.in]] |date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721213901/https://scroll.in/latest/1047394/narendra-modi-told-me-to-stay-silent-about-lapses-that-led-to-pulwama-attack-claims-ex-j-k-governor |archive-date=22 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Kashmir is a disputed territory, claimed both by India and Pakistan with both countries administering part of the territory.<ref name=time/> Pakistan has sought to gain control of Indian-administered Kashmir.{{sfn|Kapur|2011|p=76}}{{sfn|Basrur|2017|p=154}} An insurgency began to proliferate in Indian-administered Kashmir in the late 1980s. Pakistan provided the insurgency with material support.{{sfn|Kapur|2011|pp=62–63, 73}}<ref name="Ganguly">{{cite journal |last1=Ganguly |first1=Sumit |date=1996 |title=Explaining the Kashmir Insurgency: Political Mobilization and Institutional Decay |url=https://direct.mit.edu/isec/article-abstract/21/2/76/11541/Explaining-the-Kashmir-Insurgency-Political?redirectedFrom=fulltext |journal=International Security |volume=21 |issue=2 |page=103 |doi=10.2307/2539071 |issn=0162-2889 |jstor=2539071 |oclc=5548627724 |s2cid=42758031}}</ref> Since 1989, about 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the Indian crackdown.<ref name="time">{{Cite magazine|last=Hussain|first=Aijaz|title=Tensions Rise in Kashmir as 7 Killed in Gunfight|url=http://time.com/5531703/india-pakistan-kashmir-gunbattle-kills-7/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218233304/http://time.com/5531703/india-pakistan-kashmir-gunbattle-kills-7/|archive-date=18 February 2019|access-date=22 February 2019|magazine=Time|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{Cite web|date=15 February 2019|others=AP/Reuters|title=India warns of 'crushing response' to Kashmir suicide attack|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-15/india-warns-of-crushing-response-to-kashmir-suicide-attack/10818178|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226165059/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-15/india-warns-of-crushing-response-to-kashmir-suicide-attack/10818178|archive-date=26 February 2019|access-date=22 February 2019|website=ABC News|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', [[2016–17 Kashmir unrest|unrest in Kashmir]] grew in 2016 after India killed a popular militant leader, [[Burhan Wani]].<ref name=time/> A rising number of young locals from [[Indian administered Kashmir]] have joined the militancy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 February 2019|title=Soldiers killed as Kashmir tensions mount|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47275072|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301114352/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47275072|archive-date=1 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019|website=BBC|via=|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Safi|first1=Michael|last2=Farooq|first2=Azhar|date=15 February 2019|title=Indian PM: Pakistan will pay 'heavy price' for Kashmir bombing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/indian-pm-modi-pakistan-pay-heavy-price-kashmir-bombing|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305094312/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/indian-pm-modi-pakistan-pay-heavy-price-kashmir-bombing|archive-date=5 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019|website=The Guardian|via=|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Many sources state that the majority of militants in Kashmir are now local, not foreign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yasir |first=Sameer |last2=Abi-Habib |first2=Maria |date=2019-02-14 |title=Kashmir Suffers From the Worst Attack There in 30 Years |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/world/asia/pulwama-attack-kashmir.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=2023-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302112343/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/world/asia/pulwama-attack-kashmir.html |archive-date=2 March 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Narain |first=Akanksha |date=2016 |title=Revival of Violence in Kashmir: The Threat to India’s Security |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26351433 |journal=Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses |volume=8 |issue=7 |pages=15–20 |issn=2382-6444 |jstor=26351433}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |date=26 June 2021 |title=Nearly 60 foreign terrorists among 243 militants operating in Kashmir |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/nearly-60-foreign-terrorists-among-243-militants-operating-in-kashmir-1270323-2018-06-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302095206/https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/nearly-60-foreign-terrorists-among-243-militants-operating-in-kashmir-1270323-2018-06-26 |archive-date=2 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019 |website=India Today |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2018 alone, the death toll included 260 militants, 160 civilians and 150 government forces.<ref name=abc/>

{{Cite web |last=Panda |first=Ankit |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Now Uri: What Are India’s Options? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/gurdaspur-pathankot-and-now-uri-what-are-indias-options/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116200050/https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/gurdaspur-pathankot-and-now-uri-what-are-indias-options/ |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}</ref> In February and June 2016, the militants [[2016 Pampore attack|killed]] nine and eight security personnel respectively in [[Pampore]]. In September 2016, four assailants [[2016 Uri attack|attacked]] an [[Indian Army]] brigade headquarters in [[Uri, Jammu and Kashmir|Uri]] killing 19 soldiers. On 31 December 2017, the Commando Training Centre at Lethpora was also attacked by militants killing five security personnel. These attacks took place in the vicinity of the [[Jammu-Srinagar National Highway|Jammu Srinagar National Highway]].<ref name="TOI attack">{{Cite web |author= |date=15 February 2019 |title=Jaish terrorists attack CRPF convoy in Kashmir, kill at least 38 personnel |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-crpf-jawans-martyred-in-ied-blast-in-jks-pulwama/articleshow/67992189.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215181837/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-crpf-jawans-martyred-in-ied-blast-in-jks-pulwama/articleshow/67992189.cms |archive-date=15 February 2019 |access-date=15 February 2019 |website=The Times of India |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The perpetrator was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year old from [[Kakapora]].<ref name="auto"/> According to Dar's parents, Dar became radicalized after he was beaten by Indian police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2019 |editor-last=Sharma |editor-first=Aditya |title=Pulwama Bomber Was Radicalised After Cops Forced Him to Rub Nose on Ground, Beat Him Up, Say Parents |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/pulwama-bomber-was-radicalised-after-cops-forced-him-to-rub-nose-on-ground-beat-him-up-say-parents-2038441.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228130438/https://www.news18.com/news/india/pulwama-bomber-was-radicalised-after-cops-forced-him-to-rub-nose-on-ground-beat-him-up-say-parents-2038441.html |archive-date=28 February 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019 |website=News18 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pulwama bomber Adil Ahmad Dar became terrorist after he was beaten by troops, say parents |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pulwama-bomber-adil-ahmad-dar-became-terrorist-after-he-was-beaten-by-troops-say-parents-1457317-2019-02-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226083016/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pulwama-bomber-adil-ahmad-dar-became-terrorist-after-he-was-beaten-by-troops-say-parents-1457317-2019-02-15 |archive-date=26 February 2019 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Between September 2016 and March 2018, Adil Dar was reportedly arrested six times by Indian authorities.<ref name="Raina">{{Cite web |last=Raina |first=Anil |last2= |last3= |first3= |date=February 17, 2019 |title=Pulwama bomber was detained six times in less than two years |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/pulwama-bomber-was-detained-six-times-in-less-than-two-years/articleshow/68028982.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191855/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/pulwama-bomber-was-detained-six-times-in-less-than-two-years/articleshow/68028982.cms |archive-date=28 February 2019 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Baabar|first=Mariana|date=18 February 2019|title=Pulwama attack: It's security, intel lapse, Pakistan tells India|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/433239-pulwama-attack-it-s-security-intel-lapse-pakistan-tells-india|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228130438/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/433239-pulwama-attack-it-s-security-intel-lapse-pakistan-tells-india|archive-date=28 February 2019|access-date=6 March 2019|website=The News International|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, each time he was released without any charges.<ref name=Raina/>

 

Central Government had received at least 11 intelligence inputs, including from the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] and Kashmir Police, days before the attack. Two days before the attack, [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] uploaded a video of a suicide attack in Afghanistan and hinted at launching a similar attack in Kashmir. The Home Ministry refused to provide CRPF aircraft on the day of the attack and instead let the convoy take the road route, ignoring intelligence inputs.<ref name="frontline government ignored 11 inputs" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Pulwama attack: IED attack warning sent to CRPF, other agencies last week |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/intelligence-warning-of-ied-attack-sent-to-crpf-other-security-agencies-last-week-119021401475_1.html |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721211759/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/intelligence-warning-of-ied-attack-sent-to-crpf-other-security-agencies-last-week-119021401475_1.html |archive-date=22 July 2023 |location=New Delhi |language=en}}</ref>

Initial investigations suggested the car was carrying more than {{convert|300|kg}} of explosives,<ref name="TOI attack" /> including {{convert|80|kg}} of [[RDX]], a [[high explosive]],<ref>{{Cite web |author= |date=16 February 2019 |title=Pulwama attack: Seven detained, 80 kg high-grade RDX used by Jaish terrorist |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pulwama-attack-seven-detained-80-kg-high-grade-rdx-used-by-jaish-terrorist-2720490 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035340/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pulwama-attack-seven-detained-80-kg-high-grade-rdx-used-by-jaish-terrorist-2720490 |archive-date=16 February 2019 |access-date=15 February 2019 |website=DNA India |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[ammonium nitrate]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Ankur|date=16 February 2019|title=Pulwama attack: Traces of ammonium nitrate, RDX found at terror site|url=https://www.mynation.com/amp/news/pulwama-attack-traces-of-ammonium-nitrate-rdx-found-terror-site-pn0ka3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030411/https://www.mynation.com/amp/news/pulwama-attack-traces-of-ammonium-nitrate-rdx-found-terror-site-pn0ka3|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=17 February 2019|website=mynation.com|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Deependra Singh Hooda|Lt Gen Hooda]] said that the explosives might have been stolen from a construction site. He initially said that it was not possible that they were smuggled from across the border, but later said that he could not rule it out.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Yasir |first2=Sameer |last3=Kumar |first3=Hari |date=15 February 2019 |title=India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223135448/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/world/asia/kashmir-attack-pulwama.html |archive-date=23 February 2019 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In an ensuing dogfight between Indian and Pakistani jets, an Indian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] was shot down over Pakistan and [[Abhinandan Varthaman|its pilot]] captured. Pakistan released the pilot on 1 March.<ref name="Captured">{{cite news|date=1 March 2019|title=Abhinandan: Captured Indian pilot handed back by Pakistan|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47412884|url-status=live|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301173217/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47412884|archive-date=1 March 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref>