PM Modi leads nation in paying tributes to martyrs of Pulwama attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs of Pulwama attack at the Palam Airport in New Delhi last evening when their mortal remains were brought to the national capital from Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Modi laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the jawans.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh received the mortal remains of 40 CRPF jawans at the airport when they were brought from J&K in a special plane.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba were among those who paid homage to the martyrs.

The decision to convene the meeting was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.

Later speaking at a function in the national capital, the Prime Minister warned Pakistan that terrorist attacks like the one in Pulwama will not weaken India and those responsible will have to pay a heavy price.

Addressing a public rally at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Modi assured the nation that the perpetrators of the dastardly attack would not be spared. He said, the defence forces have been given complete freedom to crack down on terrorism.

The Prime Minister said, the supreme sacrifice of security forces will not go in vain.

Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and heads of all security and intelligence agencies were present during the meeting.

New Delhi has hit out at Islamabad for stating that it had no role in the Pulwama attack. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack and the organisation and its leadership are located in Pakistan.

Mr Kumar said, Pakistan cannot claim that it was unaware of the presence of terror groups on its soil as the links of such outfits to Islamabad are well known. He said, Pakistan has not taken any action against terror groups despite international demands.

India demanded that Pakistan should take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control to create a conducive atmosphere in the region.
The United States has told India that it supports New Delhi's right to self-defence, and offered full co-operation in confronting terrorism.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton telephoned his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and said US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terror safe havens on their soil.

Talking to news agency PTI in Washington, Mr Bolton said, he expressed his condolences for the Pulwama attack.