Pulwama attack LIVE UPDATES: Nation mourns as families bid farewell to CRPF jawans

Saturday’s all-party meeting convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh was an attempt by the government to take the opposition parties into confidence and to help them understand better the situation on the ground in the wake of the public outpouring of grief and anger over the terrorist attack in Pulwama. READ MORE HERE

Bharat Ke Veer is a trust into which public can contribute voluntarily to support families of martyrs of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces - BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, NDRF, NSG, SSB and Assam Rifles.

This fund is managed by a committee comprising of Director Generals of CAPFs under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs. During the last few days, there has been a tremendous response from people wanting to contribute through the website: bharatkeveer.gov.in

MHA is grateful for this support.

A day after India revoked the Most Favoured Nation (MNF) status given to Pakistan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday announced a 200 per cent hike in customs duty on all goods imported from the neighbouring country. The development comes in the wake of India’s push to isolate Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Pulwama that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel on Thursday. READ MORE HERE

India has withdrawn MFN status to Pakistan after the Pulwama incident. Upon withdrawal, basic customs duty on all goods exported from Pakistan to India has been raised to 200% with immediate effect. #Pulwama

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 16, 2019

The mortal remains of CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng arrived at the Birsa Munda Airport here on Saturday amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" by thousands of people who had gathered to pay their last respects to the martyr. Several dignitaries including Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, Director General of Police D K Pandey and IG (CRPF) Sanjay Lathkar also paid homage to the martyr. Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu, Urban Development Minister C P Singh, former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay, BJP MP Ram Tahal Choudhary, Central Coalfields CMD Gopal Singh, Army officers and several political leaders were also present.  (PTI)

A shutdown was observed in Lal Chowk city centre and adjoining areas here on Saturday as a mark of protest against attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and outside the state. Shopkeepers in Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Residency Road and other adjoining areas downed their shutters at 3 pm in response to a shutdown called by trade bodies of the Valley earlier in the day. The traders also took out a protest march to condemn the attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of the country. They demanded the safety of Kashmiri traders and students outside the Valley. Various trade bodies and employees' unions also held a protest at Press Colony here. The trade bodies have also called for Kashmir bandh on Sunday. The bandh call was issued by the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Forum, Kashmir Economic Alliance and other trade bodies of the Valley. Meanwhile, protests also broke out amid a spontaneous shutdown in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.  (PTI)

A dossier, nailing the culpability of Pakistan in the terror attack in Pulwama, will be given to the FATF, an international terror financing watchdog, to expose the neighbouring country's links with terrorism and seeking its blacklisting, officials said Saturday. Security agencies are preparing the dossier with the evidence gathered so far related to the attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad and the help being provided to the outfit by the country, they said. This will be a dossier on Pakistani agencies' links with the JeM and how the terror group is being aided by them, a security official said. The details of the terror attacks carried out by the JeM in the past will be mentioned in the document. The Paris-headquartered Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will also be told through the dossier how the Pakistani agencies are providing funds to the JeM, the official said.   (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik convened a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan today and reviewed the present law and order situation in the state. 

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik convened a high level meeting at the Raj Bhavan today and reviewed the present law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of #PulwamaAttack . pic.twitter.com/NQyT0DwZl0

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

Paying tributes to Rajasthan martyr Bhagitath Singh, @gssjodhpur #PulawamaAttack @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/0dBDN3KWnR

— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) February 16, 2019

Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag on Saturday said that he will “take complete care of the education of the children” of the CRPF jawans who died in Thursday’s terror attack in Pulwama. “Nothing we can do will be enough, but the least I can do is offer to take complete care of the education of the children of our brave CRPF jawans martyred in #Pulwama in my Sehwag International School @SehwagSchool , Jhajjar. Saubhagya hoga,” tweeted Sehwag. 

Nothing we can do will be enough, but the least I can do is offer to take complete care of the education of the children of our brave CRPF jawans martyred in #Pulwama in my Sehwag International School @SehwagSchool , Jhajjar. Saubhagya hoga ? pic.twitter.com/lpRcJSmwUh

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 16, 2019

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday reviewed the security situation in the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval among others. During the meeting, top security officials briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in the country, including along the Indo-Pak border, a Home Ministry official said. The meeting took stock of the security measures in place to foil any design of the Pak-based terrorist groups to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in hinterlands, the official said. The home minister directed the officials to ensure that all possible steps are taken to hunt down terrorists currently operating in Kashmir valley, another official said. Those who attended the meeting include Union Home Secretary Ajit Doval and Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain.

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed in Mohammadpur Bhuria village of Udham Singh Nagar district as slain CRPF jawan Virendra Singh's three-year-old son lit his funeral pyre on Saturday. People flocked to Singh's residence this morning to pay their last respects to the soldier who lost his life in the Pulwama terror attack on Thursday. Prominent among those who attended the funeral and gave their shoulders to Singh's coffin were Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta, Uttarakhand minister Yashpal Arya and Khatima MLA Pushkar Singh Dhami. 

Markets remained closed in Dehradun on Saturday as a mark of respect to 40 CRPF personnel, including two from Uttarakhand, killed in the Pulwama terror attack. The closure call given by Doon Udyog Vyapar Mandal was supported by more than 260 social organisations, Mandal official Vipin Nagaliya said. Petrol pumps in the city were also closed for five hours. (PTI)

Markets remained closed in Dehradun on Saturday as a mark of respect to 40 CRPF personnel, including two from Uttarakhand, killed in the Pulwama terror attack. The closure call given by Doon Udyog Vyapar Mandal was supported by more than 260 social organisations, Mandal official Vipin Nagaliya said. Petrol pumps in the city were also closed for five hours. (PTI)

The last rites of CRPF jawan, Shyam Babu, who was killed in a terror attack in Pulwama, was held in his native village in Kanpur Dehat district Saturday. Thousands of people, including from neighbouring areas, paid their last respects to Babu in Nonari village.

Madhya Pradesh: Security personnel and civilians hold a candle march in Bhopal to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/MTyXfOYeHo

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

"Just met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sb to personally pay my condolences for the tragic deaths in Pulwama on Thursday. I requested him to take all steps necessary to ensure Jammu remains calm (sic)," Omar wrote on Twitter. "I took the opportunity to inform Rajnath Singh Sb of the reports I had received of Kashmiri students & others being threatened/harassed and requested him to appoint a nodal officer in HMO India to ensure the directive issued to states is followed in letter & spirit (sic)," he said.

I took the opportunity to inform @rajnathsingh Sb of the reports I had received of Kashmiri students & others being threatened/harassed and requested him to appoint a modal officer in @HMOIndia to ensure the directive issued to states is followed in letter & spirit.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 16, 2019

"Just met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sb to personally pay my condolences for the tragic deaths in Pulwama on Thursday. I requested him to take all steps necessary to ensure Jammu remains calm (sic)," Omar wrote on Twitter. "I took the opportunity to inform Rajnath Singh Sb of the reports I had received of Kashmiri students & others being threatened/harassed and requested him to appoint a nodal officer in HMO India to ensure the directive issued to states is followed in letter & spirit (sic)," he said.

I took the opportunity to inform @rajnathsingh Sb of the reports I had received of Kashmiri students & others being threatened/harassed and requested him to appoint a modal officer in @HMOIndia to ensure the directive issued to states is followed in letter & spirit.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 16, 2019

"Apart from the government, as citizens of the country, it is our responsibility to stand by the families of those who sacrificed everything for the country. "This is the time for mourning and to show restraint and sensitivity," PM Modi said. "I want to assure each family who lost their loved one that each drop of tear will be avenged (aasu ka pura pura jawab liya jayega)," Modi declared. Speaking further on the Pulwama carnage, the prime minister said times have changed and the world will experience this soon. "Ours is a new India with new methods and policies, and the world will experience this now. Those who spray bullets or those who provide guns and bombs to target our soldiers, will not be spared. We will not allow them to sleep in peace," Modi asserted. READ MORE HERE

Himachal Pradesh: Last rites ceremony of #CRPF Constable Tilak Raj at Dhewa in Kangra district. Union Minister JP Nadda and Chief Minister Jairam Thakur present. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/QKEgza3tNy

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

#Pulwamaattack Tilak Raj, 30 from Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district was known for his ability to sing Himachali folk songs. He had recorded three songs in the last six months and uploaded them on YouTube, getting total viewership of nearly 2 lakh https://t.co/jHIX4m5hSC pic.twitter.com/9cqdBkHcOM

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 16, 2019

West Bengal: Family members of CRPF Head constable Bablu Santra pay tribute in Howrah. pic.twitter.com/HdIX4QUVvx

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

Jammu & Kashmir: Tributes being paid to #CRPF's Naseer Ahmed at Rajouri; Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also present. pic.twitter.com/ujZRzgL9QH

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

One Army officer has lost his life in an explosion in the Rajouri sector along the Line of Control. Nature of explosion being ascertained; More details awaited. (ANI)

Odisha: Wreath-laying ceremony of CRPF head constable PK Sahoo underway in Bhubaneswar. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/GDnEVfJPya

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

Bihar: Visuals from Ratanpur, Bhagalpur as mortal remains of CRPF Constable Ratan Kumar Thakur are being brought to his home. His father (Pic 4) had said after the #PulwamaAttack, "I will send my other son as well to fight. But Pakistan must be given a befitting reply" pic.twitter.com/3d7gy9xGaw

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

(Express Photos by Shashi Ghose)

PM Modi in Maharashtra: Jinhone apna sarvaswa nyochavad kar diya, unke parivar ke saath ham hamesha khade rahein. Ye sanyam ka, samvedanshilta ka, shok ka samay hai, lekin har parivar ko main ye bharosa deta hu, aapke aankhon mein jo aansun hain, un aansuon ka pura pura jawab liya jaayega. Aaj main aap sabhi ke beech mein aaya hu jab Pulwama mein hamare jawano par aatankwadiyon ke hamle ko lekar desh akroshit hai. Ek taraf desh gusse mein hai, to dusri taraf har aankh nam hai. Maharashtra ki mitti ne bhi saputon ko khoya hai.  (Those who sacrificed everything for the nation, we stand with their families. This is the time for calm, sympathy and mourning, but I want to assure those families, there will be a response to this act)

The entire nation is grieving the loss of the brave CRPF Jawans. In their saddest hour, we stand by the bereaved families. Expressing our deepest sympathies, we extend ex gratia of Rs. 5 Lac each, to the families of the martyrs: Chandrababu Naidu, CM Andhra Pradesh 

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu: The entire nation is grieving the loss of the brave CRPF Jawans. In their saddest hour, we stand by the bereaved families. Expressing our deepest sympathies, we extend ex gratia of Rs. 5 Lac each, to the families of the martyrs. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/GiJElyOqXF

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

Delhi: RAW chief AK Dhasmana, Additional Director IB Arvind Kumar, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba & NSA Ajit Doval arrive at Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence for a high-level meeting. The meeting has begun. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/hN0EHottA8

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

The Dehradun police has assured its Jammu and Kashmir counterpart of taking all necessary measures for the safety and security of Kashmiri students studying there amidst allegation of their harassment after the Pulwama terror attack, an official said here Saturday. Some Kashmiri youths studying in the Uttarakhand capital have alleged that they were harassed and have been asked by their landlords to vacate accommodations fearing attacks on their properties in the aftermath of the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir on Thursday that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. "This refers to the circulation of news regarding the harassment of Kashmir-based students in Dehradun. In this regard it is informed that the authorities from Jammu and Kashmir Police have spoken to the authorities concerned in Dehradun Police," a police spokesperson said here. "Jammu and Kashmir Police officers are in constant touch with the Dehradun police," the spokesperson said.    (PTI)

Union home ministry issues advisory to States & UTs in wake of reports that students and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir in other parts experiencing threats and intimidation in wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama. MHA asks States to ensure their security.

Union home ministry issues advisory to States & UTs in wake of reports that students and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir in other parts experiencing threats and intimidation in wake of terrorist attack in #Pulwama. MHA asks States to ensure their security. @IndianExpress

— rahul tripathi (@rahultripathi) February 16, 2019

Wreath laying ceremony of #CRPF jawan Ramesh Yadav in Varanasi. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/1FeSqWCsHs

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 16, 2019

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a condolence message to his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the suicide attack in Kashmir. In the message, Wang Yi said he was shocked to learn that a suicide attack was carried out in Kashmir and heavy casualties were caused, he would like to, on behalf of the Chinese Government, express deep sympathy to the families of the victims and sincere condolences to the injured.

Wang Yi stressed that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind. The Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. Countries in the region should enhance cooperation, jointly address the threat of terrorism and maintain regional peace and security.

Jawans who sacrificed their lives in Jammu and Kashmir, who were martyred, we remember them. Our condolences are with their families, says Rahul Gandhi

#Bihar: Huge crowds gather to receive mortal remains of #CRPF Head Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha in Masaurhi, in Patna district pic.twitter.com/29HLozUXAz

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

#Bihar: Huge crowds gather to receive mortal remains of #CRPF Head Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha in Masaurhi, in Patna district pic.twitter.com/29HLozUXAz

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

#PulwamaAttack: Police on Saturday had to resort to mild lathi charge after a group of protestors blocked the tracks at Nalasopara railway station.Train services were affected since 8am,said officials. @WesternRly said that the train movement were restored by 1pm. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/5PcO0lnSUI

— Sagar Rajput (@sagarajput24) February 16, 2019

Pulwama attack: Rajasthan government Saturday revised the ex-gratia to the family members of CRPF jawans from the state who were among the 40 killed in the Pulwama terror attack to Rs 50 lakh from Rs 25 lakh, news agency PTI reported.

Five CRPF personnel soldiers from Rajasthan were killed in Thursday's attack.

A day after he questioned whether an entire nation can be blamed for a handful of people, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said, "Country comes first before friendship". Speaking at an event in Ludhiana, Sidhu added, "My statement was distorted, edited and not shown entirely. Yesterday also I condemned attack. But I stand by what I said. One nation or religion cannot be held responsible for this."

"Today at 4 pm we will assemble at Hazra More and from there we will take part in a candle rally upto Gandhi statue. We express our solidarity with our jawans, countrymen and united India," the Bengal CM tweeted.

Today at 4 pm we will assemble at Hazra More and from there we will take part in a candle rally upto Gandhi statue.

We express our solidarity with our jawans, countrymen and united India.

At this hour, we are all together.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 16, 2019

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress: I had also said that barring war, for the first time since 1947 such large number of security personnel have been killed in an attack. We stand with our security forces - Army, CRPF, local police. The entire nation is standing with them. #PulwamaAttack https://t.co/J2tGzkBcpF

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

"We had requested the Home Minister to request the PM on our behalf to ask Presidents of all national & regional parties for a meeting. This was supported by other parties too. The entire nation is in mourning today, is angry," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. 

The Resolution passed at the all-party meeting states: We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14th February at Pulwama in J&K in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has announced government jobs to one family member each of the two CRPF personnel from the state who lost their lives in Pulwama attack, news agency ANI reported.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has announced government jobs to one family member each of the two CRPF personnel from the state who lost their lives in Pulwama attack, news agency ANI reported.

Condemning the Pulwama terror attack, the US Secretary of State through a tweet said that Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemns #PulwamaTerroristAttack @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/IYdmBtqpQg

— Shubhajit Roy (@ShubhajitRoy) February 16, 2019

PM Modi targets Pakistan, says nation now second name for terror, news agency PTI reported.

All of us can feel the pain of martyrs' families, we understand your anger over what happened in Pulwama, PM said during a rally in Yavatmal, Maharashtra.

“Sidhu should have been careful with his words. I am from family of martyrs and hence I can understand the pain of families at this hour of grief. I am more surprised because Sidhu knows the pride of wearing tricolour. He knows what that feeling is.” Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said. 

BJP Yuva Morcha members protesting against Navjot Sidhu gets rounded by police in Ludhiana.

PM Narendra Modi in Yavatmal, Maharashtra: Terror organisations who have committed this crime, no matter how much they try to hide, they will be punished. Security forces have been given full freedom.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Yavatmal, Maharashtra: Terror organisations who have committed this crime, no matter how much they try to hide, they will be punished. Security forces have been given full freedom. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/ULPOSUH3w2

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

An all-party meeting on the Pulwama terror attack is currently underway in New Delhi.

The Union government is expected to brief top leaders of different parties on steps being taken by it to meet the challenge, news agency PTI reported.

The meeting convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was in Kashmir on Friday to take stock of the situation, is being attended by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O'Brien of the TMC, Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, Jithendra Reddy of the TRS, D Raja of the CPI, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Ram Vilas Paswan of the LJP among others.

A day after Navjot Singh Sidhu’s statement on Pulwama attack, BJP protests against him with black flags in Ludhiana. Blackens welcome hoarding with his photo.

With police and security forces patrolling the roads, curfew continued in Jammu city for the second day on Saturday. Curfew was clamped in the town following violence during Jammu bandh called by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry to protest the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. READ MORE

An all-party meeting is underway in Parliament on the Pulwama terror attack. On Friday, the Prime Minister had urged his colleagues, ruling and Opposition, to come together and speak in one voice after the terror attack. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said the entire Opposition stands with the government and will support the government in its action.

The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours has been postponed in the wake of Thursday’s terror attack in Pulwama, south Kashmir, that has resulted in the deaths of at least 40 CRPF jawans. Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, whose foundation gives out the awards as a joint venture with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, announced the postponement through a tweet. READ MORE

The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours has been postponed. At this heavy moment of loss that we all find ourselves in, we would like to cancel this event that was scheduled to take place tomorrow.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 15, 2019