Pulwama Terror Attack Latest Updates: AICWA Bans Pak Artists; CREDIA Promises 2 BHK Houses to Martyrs’ Families

Days after the Pulwama terror attack claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel, security forces on late Sunday night launched an offensive against Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists holed up in Pulwama village.

New Delhi: Days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in the ghastly Pulwama terror attack, the security forces on late Sunday engaged in an intense gunfight with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists holed up in Pulwama district.

At least four security personnel, including an Army major and three jawans were martyred in the gun battle, while two JeM terrorists have been neutralised so far, in an ongoing encounter.

Another terrorist is believed to be hiding in a house in the Pinglan area of Pulwama district. A civilian, earlier reported to have been caught in crossfire, has succumbed to his injuries.

The gunfight started late on Sunday after security forces, including the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), surrounded a village in Pinglan area following a tip off that Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists — the same group that carried out the February 14 Pulwama CRPF attack — were hiding in the area.

(Read: Pulwama Encounter: Feb 14 Attack Mastermind Among Two Jaish Terrorists Killed in Gunfight, 4 Jawans Martyred)

LATEST UPDATES ON PULWAMA CRPF CONVOY ATTACK: 

• The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has offered 2BHK houses to families of CRPF martyrs in Pulwama terror attack.

• The All India Cine Workers Association on Monday announced a total ban on the Pakistani artistes working in the Hindi film industry. The association released an official notice stating that the decision has been made in the light of the tragic Pulwama attack that took place on Thursday, February 14, in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Protests erupt in Punjab Assembly against Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu over his remarks on the Pulwama terror attack. Several leaders stood up and raised their arms and slogans against Sidhu, ahead of tabling of state Budget on Monday. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has been battling severe criticism over his recent comments post the Pulwama terror attack, wherein he said that the entire nation (Pakistan) cannot be blamed for an act of handful of cowards.

• The Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday sought dismissal of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his “utterances” in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack even as Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia and the cricketer-turned-politician exchanged barbs in the House.Before the start of the Punjab Budget session, Akali leaders led by Majithia burnt the photographs of Sidhu including those in which he is seen hugging the Pakistan Army chief, outside the House.
  Sidhu visited Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, on August 18 last year.

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday paid his tributes to CRPF jawan Vijay Kumar Maurya, who lost his life in the Pulwama terror attack. Adityanath also visited Maurya’s residence in Gonda’s Chhapaiya to meet his family and expressed his condolences.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Monday tweeted that Islamabad has called back its Indian ambassador for ‘consultations’.
  

  We have called back our HIgh Commissioner in India for consultations.
  He left New Delhi this morning .

  — Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) February 18, 2019

• Traders call for a bandh (shutdown) in Assam’s Guwahati on Monday as a sign of protest against the Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF jawans on February 14, Thursday. 

• Top officials arrive at Home Ministry in New Delhi for a high level meeting.

Delhi: Top officials arrive at Home Ministry for a high level meeting. #PulwamaTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/Rcz3ZWZnNh

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019

• Traders’ body CAIT called for a nationwide trade shutdown on Monday to express solidarity with the families of CRPF security personnel, who were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack on Thursday. The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) sponsored attack claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel and injured five others.In a statement, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said commercial markets will remain closed and there will be no business activity. In Delhi, all wholesale and retail markets will observe bandh on February 18.

• All gifts and money collected from the mass wedding organised by the Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj in Gujarat’s Surat, will be donated to the families of the Pulwama terror attack martyrs. As many as 262 couples tied the knot on Sunday and the proceeds from the event amounting to Rs 50 lakh have been promised to the families of martyrs.

• Delhi: Candle light march being held at Connaught Place to pay tribute to the the CRPF jawans who lost their lives in #PulwamaTerroristAttacks on February 14. pic.twitter.com/3V5rZskjyW

  — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2019