Balakot airstrikes: A timeline of India's successful retaliation to Pulwama attack

February 15, 2019: A day after the deadly attack, India decided to withdraw the 'Most Favoured Nation' (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan. Further, it stated would take all possible steps to isolate the neighbouring country on the international level. Meanwhile, Pakistan called the terrorist attack “a matter of grave concern” and rejected India's allegations of its link to the strike.

February 16, 2019: The mortal remains of the 40 soldiers belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were laid to rest in their hometowns.

February 17, 2019: The Jammu and Kashmir administration's decision to withdraw security cover provided to five separatist leaders in the Valley. India also raised the matter during bilateral meetings with several countries, including the US and Russia, at the three-day Munich Security Conference.

February 18, 2019: Nine people, including an Army Major and three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, were killed in a gun battle that lasted close to 18 hours in the Pinglena area of Pulwama. Pakistan, meanwhile, summoned its envoy to India for consultations.

February 19, 2019: The then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, broke his silence on the Pulwama terror attack and said his country would retaliate if India decided to take punitive military action against them.

February 20, 2019: The probe in the terror attack case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and named JeM in the FIR.

February 22, 2019: Under international pressure, the Pakistani government decided to take the ‘administrative control’ of the JeM headquarters.

February 23, 2019: The Centre rushed about 10,000 central forces personnel to the Kashmir valley to strengthen the counter-insurgency operations in the region and maintain law and order.

February 26, 2019: The Indian Air Force bombed JeM's “biggest” terror-training camp in Pakistan's Balakot. The operation was carried out 12 days after the Pulwama attack. Islamabad called New Delhi’s cross-border airstrikes “uncalled-for aggression”.

February 27, 2019: IAF pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured by Pakistan in a major aerial confrontation between the two sides. The then Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, blamed Pakistan’s inaction against JeM for triggering India to carry out airstrikes.

February 28, 2019: Pakistan suspended the Samjhauta Express train service between the two countries until further notice. Meanwhile, the US, the UK, and France made a 'listing request' to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding a travel ban on JeM leader Masood Azhar.

March 1, 2019: IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was freed by Pakistan days after his fighter jet came down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).