350 Jaish terrorists killed, all-party meet takes united stance against terror
IAF sources said a group of Mirage 2000 fighter jets struck a major terrorist camp across the LoC and completely destroyed it.
In a pinpointed and swift air strike that lasted less than two minutes, India pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists and trainers who were moved there for their protection after the Pulwama attack, officials said.
The pre-dawn operation, described as "non-military" and "preemptive", struck a five-star resort style camp on a hilltop forest that provided Indian forces with a "sitting duck target" and caught the terrorists in their sleep, sources said.
I want to assure the people that the country is in safe hands. There is nothing above the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a public rally in Churu, Rajasthan, in his first remarks after the strike. He, however, did not make a direct reference to the attack or give any details.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told the media the "intelligence-led operation" on the Pakistan-based terror group's biggest training camp in Balakot became "absolutely necessary" as it was planning more suicide attacks in India, after the February 14 attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in which 40 soldiers were killed. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack.
Gokhale said the camp was located in Balakot but did not elaborate further. Sources said the reference was to the town in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 80 km from the Line of Control and near Abbotabad where Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed in hiding by covert US forces.
Gokhale also did not give details of how the attacks were carried out but sources said a group of Mirage 2000 jets was used to drop bombs in the operation, which included various other aircraft.
This is the first time since the 1971 war that India has used air power against Pakistan.
What we know about Mirage 2000
Read: Imran Khan utha jayen, there's been an intrusion: Twitter on IAF Pak Strike
*Sushma Swaraj after the all party meet told that all parties spoke unitedly. According to reports, she also informed about briefing US Secretary of state Pompeo about the air strike.
* According to inputs provided by Manish Shukla, Pakistan is in complete denial mode and is trying to wipe off all evidence. It is trying to get rid of all the bodies of terrorists.
*Pakistan Foreign Minister also claimed that there is no loss of life and the country has decided to response at the place of choice. He has directed to remain prepare for all eventualities.
* This was grave aggression by India against Pakistan. This is a violation of LoC and Pakistan has the right to retaliate and self defence: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
* Foreign diplomats from the USA, UK, Russia, Australia,Indonesia,Turkey and six Asean nations being briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Indian air strike across LOC in Balakot
* My compliment goes to the government for taking this action & also to the Air Force for the way they have carried out this strike in an absolutely professional manner: Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retired), the Northern Army Commander during the 2016 surgical strikes
* Initial estimates suggest that 200-300 terrorists were killed in the operation: Sources
* Large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders were eliminated in largest JeM camp in Balakot. Camp was led by Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, brother in law of JeM Chief Masood Azhar: Vijay Gokhale
* In an intelligence lead operation in the early hours today, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander & Jihadis were eliminated: Foreign Secretary
Full text of statement by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale
* Credible intelligence was received that Jaish-e-Mohammed was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country & fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. A pre-emptive strike became important. India struck the biggest camp of JeM in Balakot.: Vijay Gokhale
* A large number of terrorists eliminated in IAF operation: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale
* Pakistani F16s were scrambled to retaliate against IAF Mirage 2000s but turned back due to size of Indian formation. Western Air Command coordinated operation: Sources
* Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale to brief the media at 11:30 am.
* The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave full freedom to Indian armed forces and the entire country stands behind our forces: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on airstrikes across LoC
* In first reaction from the government, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this is Modi's India, it will enter enemy homes and will attack too.
* CCS meeting over, lasted for about 45 minutes.
* Tomorrow's meeting of opposition leaders to discuss Pulwama attack and Indian strikes. "In tomorrow's non-BJP Opposition Leaders' meeting in Delhi, Pulwama attack, subsequent consequences and India strikes on terrorist camps will be taken up as priority in their discussions," TDP sources said.
* Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting to discuss the security situation
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
* Indian Air Force has been put on high alert all air defence systems along the international border and LoC to respond to any possible action by Pakistan Air Force.
* Sources said control room of Jaish completely destroyed by IAF bombing in Balakot. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has briefed PM Modi on IAF operation, sources said.
* Terror launch pads in Balakot, Chakoti, Muzaffarabad and destroyed. Alpha-3 control rooms of Jaish-e--Mohammad Destroyed.
* Total 21-min air strike timeline:
Balakot (24 KM NW of Muzaffarabad): 3:45-3:53 AM - Hit locations -Joint training camps of JeM, LeT & HM. They had emptied Launchpads but not training camps
Muzaffarabad: 3:48 AM- :55 AM
Chakoti: 3: 58 AM- 4:04 AM
(With inputs from Sanjay Bragta, Manish Shukla, Iftikhar Geelani)