The biggest stories and developments on Sunday in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.
More than 72 hours after 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a heinous terror attack in Pulwama of Jammu and Kashmir, Indians continued to express grief, anger and outrage as they waited for appropriate action against the culprits of the act. While the leaders of the country promised action, people from all walks of life continued to come out in several cities to express solidarity with the families of the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama terror attack.
In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing around 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.
"I feel the same fire in my heart that’s raging inside you," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while referring to the anger and grief in the country after the dastardly attack. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted "the sacrifice made by 40 CRPF in recent Pulwama attack will not go in vain" adding "the army has been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators."
Indians continued to pour their hearts and purses out for the martyrs as contributions to 'Bharat Ke Veer' platform that collects public funds for CAPF personnel killed in action crossed over Rs 7 crore.
India continued to isolate Pakistan on the diplomatic front as over 40 countries and at least three multi-nation organisations including the United Nations condemned the Pulwama attack. The after-effects of the attack were felt by Pakistan on several other fronts including the internet and cricket.
Here are the biggest developments on Sunday in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack
1. Pakistan feels the pressure as more neighbours protest
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Pakistan's neighbours Iran and Afghanistan increased pressure on Pakistan over giving safe haven to terror. Days after a terror attack in the south-eastern Sistan and Balouchestan that killed 27 revolutionary guards, Iran on Sunday summoned Pakistan ambassador Riffat Masood to lodge a formal protest. Pakistan based Jaish ul-Adl had taken responsibility for the attacks with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani pledging to avenge the attack, saying, “Our nation will certainly take revenge for the blood of these dear martyrs.”
Afghanistan on Sunday also voiced its concern to United Nations Security Council on Pakistan's engagements with Taliban, saying it not only undermines ongoing peace efforts but violates Afghanistan's National Sovereignty and UNSC Resolution 1988. This comes in the wake of Pakistan's invitation to Taliban to hold talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
India and Iran also agreed on close cooperation to combat terrorism in the region as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met the country's Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. (Image: Reuters)
2. IMG Reliance not to broadcast Pakistan Super League
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IMG Reliance on Sunday pulled out from broadcasting the Pakistan Super League in protest against the Pulwama terrorist attack.
"Due to unfortunate events a couple of days back which resulted in the death of Indian soldiers, IMG Reliance is pulling out with immediate effects, from offering broadcast production services for PSL. The incident that occured is deeply regrettable," stated a mail addressed to Sohaib Sheikh and Kamil Khan of Pakistan Cricket Board, the content of which is in possession of PTI. Being the only producers of the event, the development means PSL will go off air unless the PCB brings in an alternate production services, an official said.
3. Pakistan government websites hacked
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Several Pakistani websites including many government sites were reportedly hacked by "Team I-Crew", which claims to be an Indian hacker group, days after the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir. According to several media reports, a list of the hacked websites is being circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claiming that "Pakistan has faced it's worst cyber attack in history, in last 72 hours"
While DNA cannot verify the claims of the message, a number of websites with gov.pk domain IDs mentioned in the list displayed this message and appeared to have been hacked.
"We will never forget #14/02/20193," is the message splashed across one such website. Dedicated to the martyrs sacrificed their lives in #PulwamaTerrorAttack," read another message.
This comes a day after the official website of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also reportedly hacked. Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Faisal had said complaints were received about the site being inaccessible by users from several countries.
4. Kashmir seperatists lose security cover
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The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday issued orders to withdraw security of five separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah. According to the order, all security and vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening. No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith. (Image: PTI)
5. 23 with suspected links to Jaish-e-Mohammad detained
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Indian forces have detained 23 men suspected of links to the Pakistan-based militant group that masterminded the bombing of an Indian security convoy that killed 44 paramilitary police, a top police official said on Sunday. The 23 men included members and sympathizers of Jaish-e-Mohammad, the militant group which has claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, the deadliest on Indian security forces in decades. National Investigating Agency (NIA) questioned the suspects about the bombing on Sunday, two security officials said. (Image: PTI)
6. Grief-stricken India continues to mourn, demand action for third day
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Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered at India Gate and Jantar Mantar on Sunday to hold candle light marches to express solidarity with the families of the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama terror attack. Not just New Delhi, grief stricken people conducted marches in Thane, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and other places. (Image: PTI)
7. Army given free hand to punish culprits, says Rajnath Singh
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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted "the sacrifice made by 40 CRPF jawans in recent Pulwama attack will not go in vain" adding "the army has been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators."
"Pakistan is sponsoring these terrorist organisation. Is it helping the terror outfits to grow as they are scared of India. I assure that we will surely take the revenge," he added.
8. 'I feel the fire raging inside you': PM Modi on Pulwama attack
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"I feel the same fire in my heart that’s raging inside you," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while referring to the anger and grief in the country after the dastardly Pulwama terror attack.
Holding that the entire country is angry over the Pulwama terror attack, Modi had yesterday said that “all tears will be avenged” and the armed forces have been given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy"
