Pulwama Attack LIVE: After Blaming Pak, PM Modi Says Cash Scheme Will Benefit 2 Crore Farmers in UP

"We have worked with the mantra of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' (development for all)," says PM Modi in Jhansi, while sources tell News18 that India has issued a "very strong" demarche to Pakistan in connection with the terrorist attack in Pulwama yesterday. PM Modi further thanks UP residents for electing BJP and showing the country the way to development. "I hope in the coming days, you will give me more blessings," he adds.

"Out of 2 crore 25 lakh farmers in UP, 2 crore 14 lakh farmers have benefited from PM Kisan Yojna," says PM Modi after talking about methods that helped solve Bundelkhand's water crisis. Meanwhile, foreign secretary had conveyed that Pakistan must take immediate and verifiable action against JeM.

"Our brave soldiers have sacrificed their lives and these sacrifices will not go in vain.The valour of our security forces has been witnessed by the country and there can be no one in our country who doubts their valour and bravery," says PM Modi in Jhansi. He further spoke about various schemes and policies and BJP government's developmental work.

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood leaves from MEA. He had been summoned by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

#WATCH Delhi: Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood(on the left) leaves from MEA. He had been summoned by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/0on0k0bPNX

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019

Curfew in Jammu | Curfew was imposed in Jammu city on Friday as a precautionary measure following massive protests over the terror attack in Pulwama in the Kashmir Valley in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, officials said. The Army has been requested to help the administration in maintaining law and order and conduct flag marches, they said. Curfew was clamped as authorities feared a communal backlash, officials said. Protesters, particularly in the old city, refused to disperse even after loudspeakers announced that curfew was imposed

Movement of convoys of security forces has been halted in the Kashmir valley today in wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all forms of terrorism. We hope relevant regional countries will cooperate to cope with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold regional peace and stability," Geng said. When asked about China's stand on the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council, he said: "As for the issue of listing, I could tell you that the 1267 Committee of Security Council has a clear stipulation on the listing and procedure of the terrorist organisations". "JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner," he said in an apparent reference to External Affairs Ministry's appeal to all members of the UN Security Council to list Azhar as a global terrorist. China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC and a close ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly foiled India's bid to list Azhar as a global terrorist, saying there is no consensus in the top organ of the world body on this issue. 

China on Friday condemned the Pulwama terror attack carried out by a Jaish suicide bomber but once again declined to back India's appeal to list the Pakistan based terror group's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. "China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the injured and bereaved families," spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang told a media briefing here.

China again declines to back India's appeal to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN following the Pulwama attack. Beijing had earlier today condemned the terror attack, saying it was deeply shocked over the incident and firmly opposed to terrorism.

"Withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan was an important tactical step by the government. Ministry of External Affairs will undertake major diplomatic initiatives to ensure that Pakistan is brought to justice," says BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, leaves for Srinagar to take stock of situation in the Valley after Pulwama terror attack.

Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, leaves for Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/hENl912RZG

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has also announced Rs 20 lakh compensation to the family of CRPF personnel from the state, who lost his life in Pulwama Attack yesterday.

Compensation by Yogi government | The Uttar Pradesh government Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 25 lakhs each to the families of the 12 CRPF jawans of the state killed in the terror attack in Pulwama, an official said. The government has also announced job to one member of each soldier's family besides naming the link road in their native village after the martyrs, the spokesman said. Directives have also been issued to ensure that the last rites of the jawans are performed with full state honours in which one minister of the state government besides DM and SSP remain present as representatives of the government, the official said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed profound grief over the deaths and prayed for peace for the departed soul, he said. 12 jawans belonging to the state were killed in the attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, the official said.

China Condemns Attack | China on Friday condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 40 CRPF troopers dead, saying it was deeply shocked over the incident and firmly opposed to terrorism. The Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a Pakistan-based outfit, claimed responsibility for the attack in Pulwama district. It was the worst ever attack on security forces on any single day since a separatist campaign broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal has said that going ahead with Vande Bharat Express inauguration despite Pulwama attack befitting answer to terrorists.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who had previously initiated a website for citizens to donate money for the welfare of armed forces, said that he was "numb beyond belief" at the dastardly terror attack on CRPF soldiers in Pulwama. "May God give peace to their souls, and strength to their grieving families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. We can’t let this be forgotten," he said.

Numb beyond belief at the dastardly terror attack on #CRPF soldiers in #Pulwama. May God give peace to their souls, and strength to their grieving families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. We can’t let this be forgotten.

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 14, 2019

PM Narendra Modi said that he has spoken to the National Security Advisor, Rajnath Singh and taken stock of the situation in Pulwama after the terror attack.

Spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and other top officials regarding the situation in the wake of the attack in Pulwama.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2019

While Union minister Arun Jaitley said that there was incontrovertible Pakistani hand in Pulwama terror attack, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said that terrorism has no country or religion. He said that those who are responsible for this terrorist attack should be prosecuted.

"Today is not a day raise contentious issues but it is a day to stand with our jawans and their families," says Manmohan Singh.

We Stand With Govt, Army: Cong | "This is a terrible tragedy. This kind of violence done against our security forces is absolutely disgusting. The aim of terror attacks is to divide the country. But they will never succeed. The entire opposition and the country is standing together with the government and security forces in this time of mourning," says Rahul Gandhi.

Congress hold a special press conference to condemn Pulwama terror attack. Former PM Manmohan Singh, senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and party chief Rahul Gandhi are present. "It's not an attack on the security forces or CRPF, but an attack on the entire nation," says Azad.

A Huge Tragedy, Says Kiran Bedi | Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has described as "a huge tragedy" the killing of CRPF personnel in a terror attack in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. "40 brave CRPF Jawans killed in J&K. This is a huge tragedy. And a serious security challenge for the country. This situation demands a united strong response. As also full support to the bereaved families in all possible ways," the former IPS officer tweeted late Thursday night. The CRPF personnel were killed on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General R R Bhatnagar and senior officials of the force are leaving for Kashmir as part of a team led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They are also expected to meet the injured who are admitted to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar, they said. More than 2,500 CRPF personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir around 3.15 pm on Thursday.

Official Death Toll Mounts to 40: CRPF

Official Death Toll Mounts to 40: CRPF | The toll in the terror attack on CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district has risen to 40, a senior official said on Friday. A Jaish suicide bomber Thursday rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pulwama district. "A total of 40 personnel have been killed in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. Five troops are injured," the senior official said. In the wake of the incident, the CRPF has issued a 'high vigil' alert to all its formations in the Kashmir Valley and other places in the state.

PM Narendra Modi at the launch of Vande Bharat Express observes two-minute silence for the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in Pulwama attack.

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi at the launch of Vande Bharat Express observes a two-minute silence for the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack. pic.twitter.com/PIRRVHUrFI

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019

PM Modi on Pulwama Attack | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned Pakistan that the attack such as the one on CRPF soldiers in Pulwama will not weaken India and those responsible will have to pay a "very heavy price". In a hard-hitting speech, Modi said security forces will be given complete freedom to crack down on terrorism, and the "blood of the people is boiling". "Our neighbouring country thinks such terror attacks can weaken us, but their plans will not materialise," he said at a function to flag off a new semi-high speed train from Delhi to Varanasi. On Thursday, an explosives laden truck rammed into a CRPF convoy in Pulwama outside Srinagar killing at least 37 soldiers in one of the biggest terror attacks in recent years. "My condolences to families of those martyred in the Pulwama attack, those behind the terror strike will pay a very heavy price," Modi said. "I am thankful to all nations which condemned the Pulwama attack and urge them to come together to crush terrorism," the prime minister said

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has condemned that Pulwama attack. "Our party strongly condemns this terrorist attack and offers deepest condolences to the families of the soldiers, who lost their lives. We appeal to the central government to find a lasting solution to this problem," she said.

Captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli, also condoled the deaths of CRPF soldiers in Pulwama terror attack. "I'm shocked after hearing about the attack in Pulwama, heartfelt condolences to the martyred soldiers and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans," he said.

"I blame the Pakistani government for the attack. I hope our government gives a befitting reply. I offer my condolences to the families of the martyrs. Pakistan PM talks about Kartarpur, but their army chief does something else. Pakistan needs to change its strategy," says Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh.

Those who committed this heinous act or supported it will be made to pay a heavy cost, says Arun Jaitley on Pulwama attack.