A Nation’s Unyielding Pledge to the Pulwama Bravehearts
By Ajaz Rashid
Seven years have passed, yet the silence that descends upon Lethpora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on February 14 remains as heavy as the mountains that stand guard over the valley. It is a silence not of defeat, but of a profound, resonating memory, a collective pause by a nation of 1.4 billion people to honor the forty brave souls of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) who were taken in a cowardly act of terror on this day in 2019. But as the wreath-laying ceremony concluded, the message emanating from the snowy peaks was not just one of remembrance; it was a thunderous declaration of a “New India”, one that has fundamentally rewritten the rules of engagement with terror.
On the seventh anniversary of the dastardly attack, the atmosphere across the country was electric with a dual sense of solemnity and strong resolve. From the Prime Minister’s Office to the family homes of the martyrs, the sentiment was uniform: India neither forgets nor forgives those who threaten its sovereignty.
The Day That Changed India’s Destiny
To understand the weight of this anniversary, one must rewind to that fateful afternoon of February 14, 2019. It was 3:15 PM when a convoy of 78 vehicles, carrying over 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar, became the target of a suicide bomber affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus carrying the jawans at Lethpora. The explosion was deafening, reducing the bus to mangled steel and claiming 40 valiant lives in an instant.
For decades, India had absorbed such cuts with a policy of “strategic restraint.” Pulwama, however, became the breaking point, the moment the nation decided that the cost of terrorism would no longer be borne by its soldiers alone. The attack triggered a seismic shift in India’s defense doctrine, transitioning from defensive posturing to “offensive defense.” The subsequent airstrikes on JeM training camps in Balakot deep inside Pakistan just twelve days later sent an unequivocal message to the world: India would now strike at the very source of terror, erasing the artificial red lines that had long emboldened its adversaries.
A Unified Vow of Zero Tolerance
On this anniversary, as the nation marked the seventh year since that black day, the political leadership stood united in its stance against cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, his words resonating with the strength of a country that has successfully curbed terror incidents significantly in the years since.
“Remembering the brave heroes who laid down their lives in Pulwama on this day in 2019. Their devotion, resolve and service to the nation remain forever etched in our collective consciousness. Every Indian draws strength from their enduring courage,” PM Modi stated in a post on X. His message underscored a critical reality: the sacrifice of the Pulwama forty became the bedrock upon which the current peace and security framework of Jammu and Kashmir is built.
Echoing this sentiment, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s iron-clad policy. “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, and India is firmly determined to eradicate it completely,” Shah declared. His tenure has seen a relentless crackdown on the terror ecosystem, choking funding channels and dismantling the overground worker networks that once thrived in the valley. Shah affirmed that the sacrifices of the personnel “would never be forgotten,” a promise reflected in the plummeting terror indices in the region.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the architect of India’s aggressive diplomatic isolation of terror-sponsoring nations, noted that the sacrifice of the jawans had only “strengthened India’s resolve to pursue zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism.” Under his watch, the global narrative has shifted, with the international community increasingly backing India’s right to self-defense and calling out the state sponsorship of terror from across the western border.
Honoring the Supreme Sacrifice
At the site of the attack in Lethpora, the air was thick with emotion as senior officials of the CRPF, civil administration, and security forces laid wreaths at the memorial. The memorial, etched with the names of the 40 martyrs, stands as a lighthouse of inspiration for the thousands of convoys that pass it today secure, vigilant, and fearless.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid homage, stating, “Their supreme sacrifice will forever remain etched in the nation’s memory and continues to inspire us to build a strong and secure India.” His words highlighted how the legacy of the martyrs is now fueling the nation’s march toward becoming a global superpower, one that is secure within its borders.
, whose administration has overseen a dramatic return to normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370, paid humble tributes to the “valiant martyrs.” “Their unwavering commitment, unparalleled bravery and selfless service to the motherland will forever inspire every citizen,” Sinha wrote. The peace that now prevails in Srinagar, with record tourist footfalls and bustling markets, is perhaps the greatest tribute to the fallen soldiers.
A Family for the Families
While the nation remembers the heroes, the CRPF has ensured that the families left behind are never alone. In a heartening interaction with reporters, Director General of the CRPF, G.P. Singh, emphasized that the force’s responsibility extends far beyond ceremonial salutes.
“We lost 40 brave personnel in 2019. We are here to honour their sacrifice,” DG Singh said, his voice laced with emotion. He outlined the concrete steps taken to support the Next of Kin (NOK). “We stand with the families not just today, but every day. Their concerns are our priority.”
In a significant move to leverage technology for welfare, DG Singh highlighted the introduction of the “Brave Family App.” This digital platform connects the families of martyrs directly with the force’s welfare directorate, cutting through red tape and enabling them to raise issues and track support services in real-time. It is a model of transparent, compassionate governance.
The DG detailed that 19 families have been provided houses, while others have received land allotments with the assistance of respective state administrations. Compassionate appointments are being expedited for eligible family members as they attain the required age, and comprehensive financial packages have been disbursed. “The CRPF remains steadfast both in its operational responsibilities and in supporting the families of those who laid down their lives,” Singh affirmed.
Political Spectrum United by Patriotism
In a vibrant democracy like India, political differences are natural, but the sanctity of national security bridges all divides. Leaders across the spectrum joined in the homage, showcasing a united front against the enemies of the state.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed that the nation stood “united in honouring the memory of the CRPF personnel and in solidarity with their families.” His tenure has seen the modernization of the armed forces, ensuring that India’s soldiers are equipped with the best weaponry to crush any threat.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, paid homage, noting that the jawans’ “courage and devotion to the nation would remain etched in public memory.” Similarly, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that the nation would “forever remain indebted to the soldiers for their supreme sacrifice.”
From the capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta added her voice to the chorus of tributes. “The bravery and valour displayed by the soldiers in the line of duty would continue to inspire generations,” she said in a social media message, reflecting the sentiments of the common citizen. Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh also reaffirmed solidarity, stating that the sacrifices “would never be forgotten.”
The Unconquerable Spirit
As the sun set over the Pir Panjal range on this seventh anniversary, the message from India was clear. The scars of Pulwama have not weakened the nation; they have forged it into a harder, sharper entity. The “New India” does not merely mourn; it acts. It does not just remember; it resolves.
The terrorists who plotted the attack in 2019 hoped to break India’s spirit. Instead, they united a billion hearts and awakened a giant. Today, as the CRPF stands guard in the valleys of Kashmir, the deserts of Rajasthan, and the jungles of Chhattisgarh, they carry the spirit of the Pulwama forty with them. Every terrorist eliminated, every plot foiled, and every inch of the border secured is a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Lethpora.
The 40 bravehearts may have left the physical world, but they live on in the heartbeat of a resurgent India, a nation that stands tall, secure, and invincible, drawing eternal strength from their enduring courage.
Leave a Reply