Over 40 countries have condemned the Pulwama attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that he shared the grief and outrage with the people of the nation in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. The bodies of the soldiers killed in an attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama reached their homes on Saturday. In an emotional moment, hundreds gathered to pay their respect to the soldiers. People stood on roads with flowers, holding the national flag to receive the soldiers' bodies.
Days after the attack, reports of Kashmiri people being targeted have emerged from other parts of the country, prompting the central government to issue an advisory to the states to ensure their safety. A shutdown has been called in Kashmir against the reported attacks.
Over 40 counties have condemned the terror attack with the US taking a strong stance against Pakistan. After withdrawing the 'Most Favoured Nation' status granted to Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, India on Saturday hiked the basic customs duty on all goods imported from the neighbouring country to 200%.
Here are the highlights of the story:
The governor's administration today reviewed the safety and security of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying outside the state in the wake of reports of incidents of harassment in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.
Mobile internet services were restored in Kashmir today, a day after they were suspended as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, officials said. High speed mobile internet was restored across Kashmir Valley on Sunday night, the officials said. They said the services were restored as the situation remained peaceful in the Valley. Authorities on Saturday snapped mobile internet services in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Srinagar and Budgam districts, while network speed was throttled in north Kashmir's Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
The valour and sacrifice of military and paramilitary personnel killed in action may soon be made part of the school curriculum in Rajasthan from the next academic session. State Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara said course curriculum committees have been directed to include lessons of bravery and sacrifice in books of classes 1 to 12.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party working president KT Rama Rao paid floral tributes to the Pulwama martyrs at CRPF Headquarters in Southern sector today.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina today welcomed the government decision to withdraw security cover of six separatist leaders and said he would "like them to be arrested and jailed" outside the state.
The security cover of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi, Fazal Haq Qureshi and Shabir Shah was withdrawn today, a decision that comes in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror strike in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
NDA allies Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan today threw their weight behind the government and called for retaliatory measures over the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, which led to the deaths of more than 40 CRPF personnel. The country is seething over the terror attack on Pulwama and the government should give a befitting reply, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was told by the allies, who had been at odds with the BJP lately over several things, including seat sharing for the coming national elections and the growing demand for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a strong comment on the deaths of over 40 CRPF personnel in a terror attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district, saying there was a fire burning in his heart. He was speaking at a government event in Bihar, where he paid tribute to the soldiers who belonged to the state.
"I salute and pay my tributes to Sanjay Kumar Sinha and Ratan Kumar Thakur," he said at a government event in Barauni district.
"To the people who have gathered here, I would like to say the fire that is raging in your bosoms, is in my heart too," he added.
Shikhar Dhawan, the Team India opener, will donate money to the families of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Dhawan took to Twitter and posted an emotional video where he urged his fans and all Indians to come forward and support the families of the martyred soldiers. "This is the least we can do. Jis se jitna ban pade utna zaroor karein.
BJP President Amit Shah in Lakhimpur, Assam said I pay my tributes to Assam's son Maneswar Basumatary, along with the other CRPF personnel. Their sacrifice won't go in vain as it's not the Congress government which is at the Centre, it is the BJP which is at the Centre.
Normal life was affected in Kashmir today due to a bandh called by trade bodies against the alleged harassment and attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and outside the state.
Global pressure is building on Pakistan to act against perpetrators of the attack. Despite Chinese reservations, New Delhi has urged the international community to back the naming of JeM leader Masood Azhar as a "UN designated terrorist". The United States has also asked Pakistan to "immediately end support and safe haven to all terrorist groups".
"I salute the two martyrs from Bihar, there is fire raging in your hearts as well as in mine: PM Narendra Modi on Pulwama attack," PM Modi in Bihar while inaugurating projects.
The country's top intelligence officers along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a closed-door meeting in Delhi today to prepare a dossier on Pakistan's involvement in the car bomb attack that killed over 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday, sources told NDTV.
"A dossier, nailing the culpability of Pakistan in the terror attack in Pulwama, will be given to the FATF," a senior official told NDTV. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body that works to stop terror financing, among other objectives.
The Sikkim government has announced Rs 3 lakh each as compensation to the 40 killed CRPF jawans' families. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said his government also wants to provide free education to the children of the CRPF soldiers if the centre allows.
Wreath-laying ceremony of Major Chitresh Singh Bisht from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, who lost his life yesterday while defusing an IED which was planted by terrorists across the LoC in Nowshera sector, Rajouri.
Jammu and Kashmir govermment withdraws security of 5 separatists
The Jammu and Kashmir administration issued orders to withdraw security of five separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, officials said.
Besides Mirwaiz, the security cover for Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah has been withdrawn, they said. However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the order.
According to the order, all security and vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening. No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith.
Police will review if there are any other separatists who have security or facilities which will be withdrawn immediately, the officials said.
Kashmir employees write to J&K Governor, asking for safe passage from Jammu to reach Srinagar.
J&K Secretariat Employees Union says they have requested Governor to give employees and their families transport facility and safe passage from Jammu.
Employee's union say they and their families are not safe after spate of attacks in Jammu.
#BREAKING: Jammu and Kashmir withdraws administration security of five separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq: Officials
No security cover will be provided under any pretext to these five leaders and other separatists: Officials
The CRPF, which had vowed to avenge the deaths of the killed soldiers, has offered to help the people of Kashmir in distress. The paramilitary force has released a helpline number for people of the state, who are facing harassment. CRPF has tweeted :
"Kashmiri students and general public, presently out of Kashmir can contact @CRPFmadadgaar on 24x7 toll free number 14411 or SMS us at 7082814411 for speedy assistance in case they face any difficulties/harassment."
In Dehradun, some Kashmiri students staying as tenants at local houses alleged they were asked to vacate by the homeowners, who fear attacks on their properties, according to news agency PTI. Similar reports also came from Haryana and Bihar.
In Patna, Kashmiri traders have told NDTV they were attacked by a mob.
The BJP state president Ravinder Raina confirmed holding a protest near Tawi bridge at the centre of Jammu at 5PM.
IG Jammu zone MK Sinha said that amid curfew nobody would be allowed to gather or assemble for any protest.
Around 90 people taken into preventive detention by the district police.
Helplines have been set-up for Kashmiri students and others engaged in business outside the state to ensure their safety.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh spoke to the Uttarakhand police chief on Saturday regarding the well-being of the Kashmiri students in the state.
The Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to various states detailing measures to be taken for the safety of Kashmiris.
Protests took place on Saturday evening in the city's Nai Basti, Bantalab, Omana and Parade ground areas, but were quickly brought under control.
The Army has heightened security in Jammu city to maintain law and order.
The curfew was imposed on Friday after unidentified people torched vehicles and damaged several others carrying number plates of the Kashmir Valley in protest of the Pulwama attack.
A shutdown was also observed on Saturday in the Jammu region's Udhampur, Kathua, Samba and Reasi districts.
On the curfew, a Jammu police official said, "The situation was normal and under control during the night except for some stray incidents."
"Authorities will take a call later in the day whether the curfew can be relaxed or not."
Actor Vicky Kaushal, who recently starred in the movie "Uri" based on the 2016 surgical strike, called the Pulwama attack a personal loss.
"A strong befitting answer must be given to terrorism. As a nation, we should come together and give the required support to the families of the martyrs, emotionally & financially. Our prayers are with them." he said.
(a still from the movie Uri)
There is a shutdown across Kashmir against attacks and harassment of Kashmiris in various parts of the country. Following the terror attack in Pulwama, Kashmiris have been targeted in different parts of country and videos showing Kashmiri traders and students being attacked have found its way into social media.
Jammu curfew enters third day
Curfew continues on the third day in Jammu after violent clashes were reported from Janipur locality. The senior police and district officials held a meeting last evening to assess the law and order situation and decided to continue the curfew and suspension of mobile internet connection in the city. The administration also held peace talks with the members of the local community late evening. Meanwhile, stone pelting between the local protesters and people staying in the government quarters was reported on Saturday late evening which also left a DSP rank officer injured. Police have not succeeded to enforce the curfew and prevents the mob from attaching Kashmiris including employees working in the civil secretariat.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought his intervention to ensure safety of Kashmiri students and traders in various parts of the country. In his 30-minute-long meeting with the home minister, Mr Abdullah also requested Mr Singh to make sure that peace returns to the Jammu region. "Just met Union Home Minister... Security has been strengthened all across the National Capital including minority dominated areas. Visibility of police personnel has been increased. We'll ensure the safety and security of every citizen including Kashmiri inhabitants and students living in Delhi."
Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday held a high level meeting at the Raj Bhawan where he reviewed the law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack In the meeting , the governer directed the police to take strict action against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour-mongering irrespective of their political and religious affiliations Mr Malik also directed Divisional commissioner, Jammu to hold another peace committee meeting and appealed to all parties to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
After withdrawing the 'Most Favoured Nation' status granted to Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, India yesterday hiked the basic customs duty on all goods imported from the neighbouring country to 200%.
Thousands across the country paid their respects to those killed in the Thursday's Pulwama terror attack.