Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday led the nation in paying tributes to 40 Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF)personnel who were killed in a suicide attack on their convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir on this day in 2019. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also paid tributes to the martyred personnel.
"Remembering our valorous heroes who we lost on this day in Pulwama. We will never forget their supreme sacrifice. Their courage motivates us to build a strong and developed India," the Prime Minister said in a tweet message. Forty CRPF jawans had made the supreme sacrifice after a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the CRPF convoy. In a retaliatory attack, the Indian Air Force targeted terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26.
The next day Pakistan Air Force tried to attack some military installations in Kashmir and their attempt was foiled. In the ensuing aerial combat between Indian Mig-21 and Pakistan F-16, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s jet was brought down by Pakistan. He was captured and released after two days.
In his message, Home Minister Amit Shah said the nation can never forget their sacrifice. "I pay homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama on this day in the year 2019.
The nation can never forget their sacrifice. Their valour and indomitable courage will always remain an inspiration in the fight against terrorism," Shah tweeted. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the entire nation stands firmly with the families of the martyred personnel. In a tweet, Rajnath said the country salutes their courage and supreme sacrifice. "I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the terrorist attack at Pulwama in the year 2019. This country salutes the courage and sacrifice made by these soldiers who got martyred. The entire nation stands firmly with their families," he tweeted.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. "Homage to our courageous jawans who laid down their lives this day in Pulwama in 2019. We pay tribute by maintaining our vigil and countering cross-border terrorism," he said.