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.
I am happy that all parties in one voice praised the security forces and supported government's anti-terror operations , says External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj after all-party meeting pic.twitter.com/CEUjm6ngcX
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) February 26, 2019
* 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)
1. Country is in safe hands: PM Modi
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Today I assure the countrymen, the country is in safe hands: PM Narendra Modi in Churu, Rajasthan
"Today, I repeat what I said back in 2014 - Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki main desh nahi mitne doonga, main desh nahi rukne doonga. Main desh nahi jhukne doonga....Mera vachan hai Bharat maa ko, tera sheesh nahi jhukne doonga..."
2. Pulwama attack avenged
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The airstrike was carried out in less than two weeks after the Pulwama attack. On February 14, a suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives rammed a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops, killing 40 jawans. The convoy which was attacked on the Jammu-Srinagar highway had over 70 vehicles and more than 2,500 personnel. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group claimed responsibility for the terror attack.
3. Air Force sources on airstriks
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IAF Sources: At 0330 hours on 26th February a group of Mirage 2000 Indian Fighter jets struck a major terrorist camp across the LoC and completely destroyed it. 1000 Kg bombs were dropped on terror camps across the LoC. 12 Mirage 2000 jets took part in the operation.
The terror camp was situated in Balakot sector in Pakistani territory.
Update: Terror launch pads in Balakot, Chakoti, Muzaffarabad and destroyed. Alpha-3 control rooms of Jaish-e--Mohammad Destroyed.
(Reported by Sanjay Bragta)
4. 21-min air strike: Timeline
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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
5. IAF targets
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Balakot, Chakoti, Mujhafarabaad, pads destroyed.
Alpha-3 control rooms of Jaish Destroyed.
Alpha 3 is a fixed communication center of terror outfits in PoK. Once the terrorists are inside Indian territory, Alpha-3 guides, directs and controls their operations through a prefixed frequency on ICOM handsets. Whenever required Alpha-3 arranges tactical and material support through previously identified contacts.
Aksa camp near Muzaffarabad conducts 21 days Daura-e-Aam training course and Tabook Camp near Muzaffarabad conducts 30 days Daura-e-Khas training course for the LeT terrorists after clearing Daura-e-Aam.
These training camps are conducted in summer and begin in March end or April first week.
6. Pak Army corroborates
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In two tweets on Tuesday, Pakistan Army said that the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and dropped payload near Balakot in Pakistani territory.
"Indian Air Force violated Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back. Details to follow," the Spokesperson for the Pakistan Armed Forces, Major General Asif Ghafoor, tweeted early on Tuesday.
In another tweet, he added, "Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzaffarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage."
7. Meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
8. Musharraf's warning to Pak
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Pakistan's former military dictator Gen (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has termed talk of any nuclear war with India as rubbish, saying if Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then New Delhi could "finish us by attacking with 20 bombs". It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy," Musharraf, who is on self-exile in Dubai, said in response to a question at a news conference in Dubai on Friday evening.
"If Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs," he was quoted as saying by the paper."The only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs?" he asked.
9. Modi govt keeps word
)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had warned Pakistan and terror groups behind Pulwama terror attack saying that they have committed a “grave mistake” and they will pay a "very heavy price" for the ghastly attack.
"Our neighbouring country thinks such terror attacks can weaken us, but their plans will not materialise," he said at a function to flag off a new semi-high speed train from Delhi to Varanasi, a day after the Pulwama suicide bombing.
"I want to tell terrorist organisations and their guardians that they have committed a grave mistake. Those behind the attack will be punished for their actions,” Modi said.
10. Congress praises operation, hails IAF
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In a series of tweets, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Balakot which is quite far out into the LOC is a deep strike and purportedly where Hafeez Saeed gives a lot of his addresses. If IAF penetrated that deep without casualties it's a highly successful mission."
"Indian Air Force Strikes at Balakot don't have official word yet but the Helter skelter by Pakistan seems like something big has happened. The IAF has gone beyond POK & into Pakistan near their capital while they were busy counting alms received from Saudi & China," he added.
11. Plan was made within 24 hours after Pulwama attack
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Sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed to avenge the Pulwama attack and it was decided within the 24 hours of the attack on CRPF jawans that terror camps in Pak territory would be targeted.
Report by: Manish Shukla
12. Where is Balakot?
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Balakot, a town in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, is about 50 km (31 miles) from the Line of Control (LoC), which acts as a de facto border between the two countries that have fought three wars since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
(Reuters inputs)
13. No international law broken: Subramanian Swamy
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We are bombing our own territory temporarily called PoK. So no international law broken but it is in self defence, said BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in a tweet.
14. Rahul Gandhi salutes the pilots of IAF
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"I salute the pilots of the IAF," Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Other political leaders have also reacted and hailed the strikes.
15. Pak Foreign Minister calls emergency meeting
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Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan. The meeting will discuss the security situation: Pk media
