A pulling tool for latching onto an object, such as a plug, downhole in a wellbore includes a base element extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end for being connected to a wireline tool to a distal end adapted to engage the object, and a latching mechanism encircling the base element and being movable in the longitudinal direction between a deactivated position and an activated position, having a piston sleeve, a key element for latching onto the downhole object, the key element being slidably received inside the piston sleeve and extending from an end of the piston sleeve towards the distal end of the base element, and a piston spring forcing the piston sleeve in the longitudinal direction towards the proximal end of the base element.