New Delhi, February 14: India observes this day as a “Black Day” in memory of the 40 CRPF personnel who were martyred in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. While many across the world marked Valentine’s Day, the nation was plunged into grief following one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
On February 14, 2019, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Around 3:30 PM, a vehicle laden with nearly 300 kilograms of RDX rammed into one of the buses in the convoy near the Pulwama milestone 272 area, triggering a massive explosion.
At the time of the attack, nearly 800 personnel of the CRPF’s 180th Battalion were traveling in a convoy towards Srinagar. The blast was so powerful that it was felt several kilometers away, leaving the national highway devastated and claiming the lives of 40 jawans on the spot.
The attack sent shockwaves across the country, with families losing sons, husbands and fathers in the line of duty. Among the martyrs were two brave soldiers from Odisha — Prasanna Kumar Sahu of Nuagaon in Jagatsinghpur district and Manoj Kumar Behera of Niali in Cuttack district.
Every year, the nation pays tribute to the fallen heroes, remembering their supreme sacrifice and reaffirming its commitment to stand united against terrorism.
