In retaliation for the heinous suicide bomber attack in Pulwama on 14th February 2019, India launched Air Force strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of 26th February 2019.
In the intelligence led operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped 1,000 kg of bombs (a total number of 6 bombs) in the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Reports revel that 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets of IAF were leveraged to devastate terrorist camps across the border.
The IAF aircrafts took off from Gwalior air base in groups to strike Pakistan’s pride. The targeted areas where bombs were dropped include:
- Muzaffarabad
- Chakothi &
- Balakot
Post Pulwama Attack, hundreds of Fidayeen & their trainers took shelter to a five-star, resort style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot. The Balakot camp was an important training centre for the JeM and other terror organizations. It had several structures to accommodate the terrorist trainee and facilities to train them.
This non-military pre emptive attack successfully destroyed:
- Three Alpha Control Rooms
- Terrorist Launch Pads around the LoC (Line of Control)
- The strike eliminated around 350 JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders & groups of Jihadis who were being trained for Fidayeen action
The attack targeted a number of key terrorist including Maulana Talha and Ibrahim Azhar, brothers of terror outfits chief Masood Azhar as well as JEM chief brother in law Maulana Yousuf Azhar, mastermind of 1999 IC – 814 Hijacking.
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Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group
The intelligence based counter terror strike was launched in the wake to prevent another suicide terror attack intended in various parts of India by Jaish-e-Mohammed. Fidayeen Jihadis were being trained for this purpose.
Aftermath of the covert IAF Strike on JeM Camp
Since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, IAF Strike on JeM Camp is the first strike in recent times that has struck deep inside Pakistan territory.
- Following the Indian air strike on Pakistan today, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quershi summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad.
- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj scheduled an all party meeting for Tuesday evening on Balakot Strikes.
- China urged India, Pakistan to exercise restraint & fight terrorism through international cooperation after air strike.
- Shah Mahmood Qureshi threatens India to respond to the attack at the time & place of their choice.
The spokesperson of Pakistan Armed forces, General Asif Ghafoor revealed that Indian aircrafts released payloads under haste due to timely & effective response from Pakistan Air Force. The free fall of the payload in the open area inflicted no casualties & no infrastructures got hit.
IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Live Updates
- Pak PM Imran Khan asks armed forces & the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities.
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quershi said that Pakistan will take the international media to the area of strikes.
- Pakistan accuses Indian air force for violating LOC & sought to raise the concerns to United Nations & other International forums.
- On Wednesday, Indian Air Force fighter jets shot down Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 aircraft that violated the Indian Air Space along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. The Pakistani fighter jet was shot down in retaliatory fire three kilometres within the Pakistan territory in Lam valley, in Nowshera sector.
- Five airports for civilian flights in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh & Amritsar have been temporarily suspended in view of the emergency.
Committed to fight the menace of terrorism by undertaking all necessary measures & avoid civilian casualties, the Government of India carried out the non-military preemptive action specifically targeted at the JeM camp in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence.
The casualties inflicted in the Pulwama attack are the highest for a single attack. Consequently India-Pakistan military crisis seems impending.
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