The Pulwama terror attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans on Thursday, has enraged a nation. As the families prepare for the funeral of their sons, fathers and husbands, a nation is preparing to fight back. 

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on Thursday carried out the deadly suicide attack on the CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, claiming the lives of at least 40 CRPF jawans. Several among martyred were returning from leave to rejoin duty. 

In retaliation to the attack, India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan and has launched a major diplomatic offensive.  India held a briefing for envoys of 25 countries on Friday, including from P5 nations -- US, China, Russia, the UK and France -- to highlight Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. 

Domestically, the security forces have turned the state into a cantonment. Apart from a massive investigation in Pulwama, the army has also deployed nine columns with air support in Jammu to keep stone-pelters and protests in check. A curfew has been clamped down in several parts of the state. 

Latest Updates: 

08:30 am: Thousands gather for the funeral of each martyr: A pall of gloom has descended in the villages, towns of martyrs who gave their lives for the nation in Pulwama terror attack. Huge crowds have gathered as the mortal remains are making their ways to their homes. People are shouting slogans Bharat Mata ki Jai, Pakistan Murdabad as they walk with the mortal remains, turning into a massive procession. Senior political leaders from respective states are expected to pay their last respects to mortal remains of the jawans. 

Rajasthan: Mortal remains of CRPF jawan Rohitash Lamba have been brought to his native place in Govindpura, Jaipur. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/Q9nljl6OCH

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

08:20 am: All-party meet on Pulwama: An all-party meeting will be held today to brief political parties on the terror attack. The meeting has been convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and invitations have been extended to all major political parties. The parties will be briefed about the attack in Pulwama and the steps being taken by the government so far, a home ministry official. The decision to convene the all-party meeting was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

07:30 am: Funerals for Pulwama bravehearts to be held today: Several states in India will witness the funerals of brave CRPF soldiers who gave their lives to the nation during the Pulwama terror attack today. The mortal remains of the soldier were flown from Kashmir to New Delhi on Friay, where political leaders of the country paid their last respects. Then, the remains will were sent to the respective families. Funerals are likely to be held today with full state honours in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 

07:00 am: Govts, NGOs step up to provide relief for families of martyrs: While the Centre is planning a major crackdown on terror outfits, the state governments and non-government organisations have come together to support families of the martyrs in the time of crisis. MP government has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore for the kins of one jawan from the state, UP has announced Rs 25 lakh each for 12 families of jawans, Maharastra Rs 50 lakh each for two families, Rajasthan Rs 25 lakh each, Odisha rs 10 lakh, while Punjab has announced Rs 12 lakh compensation and a government job to the next of kin of the four CRPF jawans from the state. Read full story 

'Those responsible will pay a 'very heavy price', PM Modi's strong warning to Pakistan

06:40 am: India slams Pak for claiming it had no role in Pulwama terror attack: India slammed Pakistan for stating that it had no role in the Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group JeM, saying Islamabad could not claim that it was unaware of the presence of terror groups on its soil as the links of such outfits to the country were there for everyone to see."Pakistan cannot claim that it is unaware of their presence and their activities. They have not taken any action against these groups despite international demands, especially against groups and individuals proscribed by the UN and other countries," MEA spokesperson said.

06:30 am: US backs India’s right to self-defence: US National Security Adviser John Bolton told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Friday that America supports India’s right to self-defence. Bolton telephoned Doval Friday morning (night in India) to express his condolences for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and offered the US' full support to India in confronting terrorism. "I told Ajit Doval today that we support India’s right to self-defense. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning... and expressed US' condolences over the terrorist attack,” he told PTI. Bolton said the US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens. “We have been very clear on that score... And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis,” he said. 

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06:20 am: Nine security columns with air support deployed in Jammu: The Army has deployed nine security columns with air support in Jammu following massive protests over the terror attack. "The Army has reacted promptly. Nine Internal Security Columns (ISCs) of the Army from Tiger division were deployed in Gujjar Nagar, Janipur, Shahidi Chowk, Talab Khatika and other areas of Jammu city. They have been provided air support from the White Knight Corps," a senior army officer said.

06:10 am: Curfew in Jammu following stone-pelting: A curfew has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's winter capital after stray incidents of violence and torching of vehicles. Earlier on Friday, incidents of stone pelting and clashes between different factions were reported. The police resorted to cane charge and teargas shelling to disperse crowds. Nine persons were injured in the clashes, officials said.

06:00 am: UK condemns Pulwama terror attack: The UK government has condemned the terrorist attack in Pulwama, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans in Kashmir, as a "senseless and brutal act". "Shocked by today's senseless and brutal act of terror in...Kashmir. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims' families. We stand with India," UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter.