Pulwama Attack: RDX came from Pakistan, not locally sourced

The terrorist attack in Pulwama that caused the death the of 40 CRPF jawans in Kashmir, has been a matter of hot debate and great concern for Indians. Jaish-e-Muhammad, who has claimed the responsibility for the attack, started the planning of Pulwama suicide attack as early as March 2018 and the process to collect RDX for this attack began back in July 2018.

Explosives were smuggled into the villages of Pulwama by gas cylinders and coal bags. According to sources investigating the attack, the suicide bombing in Pulwama was carried out with 80 kg of RDX. The terrorists used ammonium nitrate and other chemicals along with RDX.

A group of 13 terrorists started smuggling RDX from Pakistan in 2018 in small quantities. This gradually gained momentum and later this RDX was taken to South Kashmir's Shopian. The RDX was brought in gas cylinders and coal booths. Sources linked to the investigation say that RDX had been smuggled through the porous border. "When trained terrorists are being pushed into the Indian border in the terrorist training camps, they are given a comparatively small quantity of RDX."

According to sources, 13 of these Jaish-e-terrorists included Kamran who was an IED experts. The terrorists searched for a person who could carry out the suicide attack. These terrorists came in contact with Adil Ahmad Dar. The terrorists, along with Adil, returned to Midori villages of South Kashmir and started preparing him for the suicide attack. Adil who was in class 12th was brought inside the fold and for several months had to undergo rigorous training to carry out a suicide attack. 

Jaish-e-Mohammed's first failed attempt came in December 2017, a few days after Noor Mohammad Tantray, a top Jaish leader who was looking to revive the Pakistan-based outfit in the Valley, was killed in an encounter in Pulwama. According to sources, after this failed attempt, Jaish regrouped and decided to take their time to make a big impact. Slowly the preparation process started. Once the preparation for the attack finished, the process of finding the right opportunity to inflict maximum damage started. Instead of targeting the camps of security forces, the plan of attacking soldiers in the open was pursued. The group then zeroed on in on attacking the security forces on the Jammu National Highway, a route frequented by security forces. When the Jammu Kashmir Highway was closed in Kashmir due to heavy snowfall, the terrorists sensed an opportunity. Taking note of CRPF convoys going towards Kashmir in the double count and from the inputs from overground workers, the day for the attack was decided, February 14.  

According to information, on the morning of 14 February, in the Tral block of Midoora village, terrorist test fired the explosive made by them. After dusk, Adil was prepared to carry out the attack and approached the CRPF convoy from Lethpora Link Road on the highway. At around 3.20 pm, the CRPF's convoy reached the decided spot and Adil rammed the explosives-laden car into the bus killing 40 CRPF personnel.  Over 19 people have been interrogated in the matter and it is found that the mastermind of the attack was Kamran.

According to investigating agencies, Adil Ahmad Dar, alias Waqas, the suicide bomber who carried out the Pulwama attack, was at the lowest rung of the terrorist hierarchy and was categorized as a Grade 'C' terrorist. Officials believe that this was a new strategy adopted by the Jaish-e-Mohammad to pick up young local Kashmiris who keep a low profile and can slip through the surveillance of the security agencies easily.