Indian Air Force destroyed major terrorist camps inside Pakistan controlled areas of Kashmir. As per the sources targets at Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad were completely destroyed. As per ANI at around 3:30 this morning, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force dropped 1,000 kg bombs on terror camps of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, completely destroying them.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed the actions of IAF
“A large number of JeM terrorists were killed. The strike avoided civil casualties,” he told the media.
“On February 14, 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir. The JeM has been active in Pakistan for the last two decades. This organisation which has been proscribed by the JeM has been responsible for a series of terror attacks, India has struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakote. A large number of JeM terrorists were eliminated.” Gokhale added credible intelligence was received that Jaish-e-Mohammed was attempting another suicide terror attack in the country and terrorists were being trained for this purpose.The facility in Balakote was headed by Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar.
Media Briefing by Foreign Secretary (February 26, 2019) https://t.co/11jgiQfuBL
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2019
The attack comes on heels of terrorist attack of CRPF convoy in Pulwama on 14th Feb 2019, where 44 soldiers were martyred. The government had promised a payback to terror outfits, operating out of Pakistan controlled territory.
Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has confirmed on Twitter that the airstrike took place, then deleted the tweet replacing with following
ये मोदी का हिंदुस्तान है, घर में घुसेगा भी और मारेगा भी,
Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC and Completely destroyed it
एक एक क़तरा ख़ून का हिसाब होगा !ये तो एक शुरुआत है .. ये देश नहीं झुकने दूंगा…#Balakot #Surgicalstrike2 pic.twitter.com/fqYJgWxuqX— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) February 26, 2019
While Pakistan confirms an air intrusion, the official version states that IAF had to turn back as PAF responded.
Indian aircrafts’ intrusion across LOC in Muzafarabad Sector within AJ&K was 3-4 miles.Under forced hasty withdrawal aircrafts released payload which had free fall in open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019
However As per ANI
Sources: Pakistani F16s were scrambled to retaliate against IAF Mirage 2000s but turned back due to size of Indian formation. Western Air Command coordinated operation. pic.twitter.com/cCXndYNc1H
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019
The Indian formation across the western front are now on full alert should Pakistan retaliate the strikes
