IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Highlights: Pak summons India’s envoyhttps://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-air-force-cross-loc-claims-pakistan-live-updates-5600815/
IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Highlights: Pak summons India’s envoy
IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Highlights: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed a "non-military preemptive action specifically targeted at a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp" run by Masood Azhar. The target was chosen to avoid civilian casualties, he said.
Indian Air Force Aerial Strike: India confirms air strike on Balakot terror camps run by JeM. (File)
IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Highlights: India, early Tuesday morning, struck a key terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, eliminating JeM terrorists including fidayeen who were undergoing training. At a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed a “non-military preemptive action” specifically targeting at a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. Gokhale said the target was chosen to avoid civilian casualties. Gokhale said the camp, located in thick forests on a hill top away from civilian areas, was run by Maulana Yusuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar. He said there was credible information that JeM was planning suicide attacks similar to Pulwama in other parts of the country and hence this strike was necessary. UPDATES here
Pakistan armed forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed Indian aircraft “intruded from Muzaffarabad sector” and “dropped a payload” near Balakot “facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force”. Pakistan summoned India’s acting High Commissioner and condemned “violation of its territorial sovereignty” by Indian jets.
Reacting to India’s press briefing, Pakistan said it would respond to India’s “aggression” at a time and place of its choosing. Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a joint session of Parliament on February 27.
Pakistan has claimed Indian aircraft crossed over into PoK and summoned India's acting High Commissioner. Read in Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali.
Balakot: A 6-acre training camp for 600 terror recruits, run by Masood Azhar’s kin
The expectation of the Pakistani establishment that the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur would be the obvious target of the Indian retaliation for the Pulwama terrorist attack, led to a large number of Jaish cadre being “congregated” at the organisation’s main training centre in Balakot, top security officials have told The Indian Express. Read More
Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (AP)
Mirage, Awacs, Sukhoi, Popeye: How IAF took down Jaish training camp
While the Indian Air Force was deployed during the 1999 Kargil conflict, Tuesday was the first time after the 1971 war that it fired on targets inside Pakistan. Although the entire operation, said to have got political clearance last week, lasted less than an hour and there was only one target, the risks were high and pressure for guaranteed success was huge. Read More
Delhi said terrorists were plotting another attack
By striking terrorist camps about 80 km away from the Line of Control in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, India chose “non-military” targets, the Jaish-e-Mohammed-run terror camps, and justified the strikes as “pre-emptive” since terrorists, Delhi said, were plotting another attack.
India strikes terror, deep in Pakistan: Next step, diplomatic outreach
Less than a fortnight after the single bloodiest attack in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three decades of militancy, India on Tuesday conducted air strikes deep inside Pakistan, the first time after the 1971 war that it has hit targets in the country. Announcing that India had struck the “biggest training camp” of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, in which “a very large number” of JeM terrorists and their trainers were “eliminated”, the NDA government, effectively, drew a new red line in its strategic calculus with Pakistan. Read More
Pak cinema body boycotts Indian content
Choudhary Fawad Hussain, Pakistan I&B Minister: "Cinema Exhibitors Association has boycotted Indian content, no Indian movie will be released in Pakistan. Also have instructed PEMRA to act against made in India advertisements."
Pakistan summons India's envoy
Pakistan summons India's acting High Commissioner and condemns "violation of its territorial sovereignty" by Indian jets, PTI reported
EU urges 'maximum restraint' from India, Pakistan after air strike
The EU has called on New Delhi and Islamabad to exercise "maximum restraint" after Indian Air Force destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot. "We remain in contact with both countries and what we believe is essential is that all exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters, reported PTI.
Will take international media to area of strikes: Pak Foreign Minister
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan will take international media to the area of strikes. Helicopters are being readied, right now weather is bad, will fly when weather permits, he said.
Explained: What does a non-military preemptive strike mean?
A non military preemptive strike means that a military target has not been hit by the Indian Air Force that carried out the strikes in the early hours of Tuesday. Hitting a military target would be construed as an act of war.
India, therefore, clarified that it was a non military strike. By calling it a preemptive action, it has taken the diplomatic pressure off itself that it acted to take revenge or for retribution. It has instead made it an act of self defence. READ MORE
Punjab border districts on high alert
Punjab has put its border districts on high alert in the wake of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strikes across the Line of Control, undertaken by India as a retaliatory measure in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Punjab Chief Minister's Office said.
Remain prepared for all eventualities: Pak PM Imran Khan tells country
Prime Minister Imran Khan asked armed forces and the people of Pakistan to remain "prepared for all eventualities" following a "non-military preemptive" strike by the Indian Air Force targeted at a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. Pakistan's top security committee said India has "committed uncalled for aggression" and vowed to respond "at the time and place of its choosing"
Maharashtra state legislature Assembly and council pass unanimous resolution congratulating armed forces for carrying out air strike on terror launch pads in Balakot.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the assembly, " The entire nation is proud of our armed forces. We salute our armed forces courage and action. They ensured the martyrdom of our jawans was not in vain. We have once again proved our might."
Jaish terrorists targeted in air strikes
Key Jaish e Mohammed terrorists targeted in today’s air strikes were Mufti Azhar Khan Kashmiri, head of Kashmir operations (pic 1) and Ibrahim Azhar (pic 2), the elder brother of Masood Azhar who was also involved in the IC-814 hijacking
Key Jaish e Mohammed terrorists targeted in today’s air strikes: Mufti Azhar Khan Kashmiri, head of Kashmir operations(pic 1) and Ibrahim Azhar(pic 2), the elder brother of Masood Azhar who was also involved in the IC-814 hijacking pic.twitter.com/IUv1njNygA
Foreign diplomats from the USA, UK, Russia, Australia,Indonesia, Turkey and six ASEAN nations were being briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Indian air strike across LOC
Foreign Secretary and other Secretaries are briefing foreign envoys, including P5, during the course of the day. @IndianExpress
A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was on Tuesday shot down near the International Border in Kutch district of Gujarat, police sources said. Debris of the UAV was seen near Nanghatad village in Abdasa taluka of Kutch, they said.
On hearing a loud sound around 6 am, villagers went to the spot and found the debris of the UAV, the sources said. Asked if a Pakistani UAV had been shot down by the Indian armed forces, a police official, on condition of anonymity, said, "Such an incident has happened, we are investigating the matter." The official, however, refused to elaborate further. Read more
China's reaction on India's Balakot strike
In its first reaction to India confirming a non-military preemptive strike on a major Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, China on Tuesday said that it hoped the two countries will maintain “restraint” and “do more to improve bilateral relations”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said: “India and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. Sound relations and cooperation serve the interest of both countries for peace and stability in South Asia.” He added: “We hope the two countries can keep restraint and do more to improve bilateral relations.” Read more
Won't let India bow down: PM Modi in Rajasthan
"I won't let India bow down. This is a promise that I make to you. I won't let the nation's name be erased. Rajasthan has given many brave soldiers to this nation. I bow to all you of you," Modi said
India in safe hands: Modi hours after strike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a gathering in Rajasthan. The rally comes hours after the strike. Reacting to the chants and slogans of the crowd, Modi says, "I understand your enthusiasm today. You are in a different mood." "I assure you that India is in safe hands," Modi said
Pakistan says it has ‘right to retaliate, self-defence’; Imran Khan calls meeting
"India committed an act of aggression. It is a violation of the LoC. I consider it a violation of the LoC, and Pakistan his right to give a suitable response in self-defence," Pakistan's foreign minister said. Read more here
India committed 'aggression': Pakistan foreign minister
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Qureshi said India has violated the LoC and Pakistan has the right to respond.
"First, they committed aggression against Pakistan today. It is a violation of the LoC. I consider it a violation of the LoC, and Pakistan his right to give a suitable response in self defence," he told reporters after an "emergency meeting" with high-level officials at the Foreign Office (FO) for consultations.
Sources told The Indian Express that JeM terror camp is deep inside Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The MEA, however, only confirmed that the camp was in Balakot and it was on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence.
All-party meeting at 5 pm today
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has called for an all-party meeting today at 5 pm. The government is likely to brief the Opposition about today's strikes on JeM terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan.
What is Mirage 2000?
Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighters were used to destroy the terror camp, reports ANI. The jet is one among the IAF’s strategic aircraft.
During the Kargil War, India needed aircraft that could perform at the highest terrains and bad climate. While the Indian side had MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-27s in its arsenal, they were not able to dislodge the Pakistani side. This is when Mirage 2000 was put to use. The jet was used to drop laser-guided bombs to destroy well-entrenched positions of the Pakistani forces
During Operation Safed Sagar, two Mirage aircraft flew a total of 514 sorties and destroyed the command and control bunkers of Pakistan’s Northern Light Infantry. Armed with Laser Guided Bombs, the jets repeatedly struck the heavily defended Tiger Hill. The impressive service of the Mirage 2000 in 1999 prompted the government to make another order for Mirage 2000. Read more
Balakot camp was led by Azhar's brother-in-law
Foreign Secretary Gokhale said the terror camp was led by Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, the brother in law of JeM Chief Masood Azhar. FS Gokhale also said the selection of the target was conditioned by India's desire to avoid civilian casualties.
Non-military preemptive strike: Foreign Secretary
FS Gokahle today saidthat India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to act on JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed and that information related to the location of terror camps in Pakistan and PoK has been provided to Pakistan many times. "India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against the JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed inside Pakistan. Pakistan has taken no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil.
"Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of imminent danger, a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary.
"In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by MAULANA YOUSUF AZHAR (alias USTAD GHOURI), the brother-in-law of MASOOD AZHAR, Chief of JeM," Gokhale said, adding that it was a "non-military preemptive strike."
A very large number of JeM trainers and fidayeen were killed: Vijay Gokhale, FS
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale today confirmed that India struck a training centre of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in the early hours of Tuesday and a large number of trainers as well as fidayeens were killed. The attack, Gokhale said, was a "non-military preemptive strike".
'Brilliant action, there is a limit to India's tolerance'
Former IAF Chief AY Tipnis says IAF strike across LoC "conveys that though Pakistan uses terrorism as a tool against India, we are within our rights of International law to take such action." Read more here.
IAF has capability to fix and hit targets during day and night
The capability to fix and hit the target, both during day and night and even in cloudy weather, was demonstrated by the IAF in Exercise Vayu Shakti earlier this month in Jaisalmer. The firepower demonstration had showcased capabilities which were way beyond those used during the Kargil War. IAF had used Mirage 2000 to fore laser guided bombs, fixed hastily when the Kargil conflict was on, to target Pakistani posts on the mountains of Kargil.
Mamata Banerjee tweets congratulating IAF
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has tweeted a new abbreviation for the IAF.
The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 350 points in early trade Tuesday amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, weak Asian cues and selling pressure on banking, power, IT and power counters. The Sensex was trading 343.20 points, or 0.95 per cent, down at 35,870.18 after touching a low of 35,842.58. The gauge rallied 342 points in Monday's trade. - PTI
Air strikes by India first since 1971 war
The reports of airstrikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, although not officially confirmed, is the first time Indian Air Force has been used in Pakistan controlled air space after the 1971 war. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, the Vajpayee government had decided to restrict the use of IAF to own side of LoC.
Alert level is higher than normal levels: AOC Air Force Station Chandigarh
The AOC Air Force Station, Chandigarh, Air Commodore S Srinivasan has said air defence measures are in place at the Chandigarh air base. "No fighter operation took place from here. All airfields of IAF were on enhanced alert after Pulwama," he said. "I have to be more alert because Chandigarh is surrounded by three states. So we have to be on a very high level of alert. This base is capable of undertaking all operational flights," Air Commodore Srinivasan added.
Press briefing by Foreign Secretary at 11.30 am
Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale will brief the media at 11.30 am today.
Radio Pak reports Pak Foreign Minister has called for a meeting
Radio Pakistan reports that Pakistan Finance Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting today to "discuss situation after Indian Air Force's violation of LOC. The meeting will discuss the security situation. It will be attended by former secretaries and senior ambassadors," Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan: Intrusion within AJ&K was 3-4 miles
Pakistan's Major General Asif Ghafoor tweets again: "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."
Delhi CM Kejriwal salutes armed forces
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted congratulating the armed forces for striking terror camps in PoK.
I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is underway.
IAF puts defence systems on high alert
News agency ANI reports that the Indian Air Force has put on high alert all air defence systems along the international border and LoC to respond to any possible action by Pakistan Air Force.
Omar Abdullah tweets, asks which Balakote
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah tweeted asking for clarity on the location where the IAF strikes took place.
"If this is Balakote in KPK it’s a major incursion & a significant strike by IAF planes. However if it’s Balakote in Poonch sector, along the LoC it’s a largely symbolic strike because at this time of the year forward launch pads & militant camps are empty & non-functional," he tweeted.
Unless we know which Balakote is being talked about by the Pakistani generals it’s pointless speculating about what we may have hit & what fallout the airstrike will have.
First official confirmation comes from Union Minister Shekhawat
The first official confirmation comes from Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat. He tweeted a picture of the Mirage releasing a missile in the air. It's not clear if the photo is of this morning's attack or not.
?? ???? ?? ?????????? ??, ?? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ??, Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC and Completely destroyed it ?? ?? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? !?? ?? ?? ?????? ?? .. ?? ??? ???? ????? ?????...#Balakot#Surgicalstrike2pic.twitter.com/fqYJgWxuqX
Union Minister Shekhawat was the first to tweet on the attacks from the government’s side. Opposition leaders Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal tweeted saluting the armed forces.
On February 14, 40 CRPF jawans were killed in the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack took place after a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden Maruti Eeco into a bus carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack. The NIA is currently investigating the attack.
Reacting strongly to the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said those who committed the heinous act will pay “a heavy price”. “Those who did the heinous act will have to pay a heavy price. Those who supported it will definitely be punishment. To all my colleagues, in ruling and Opposition, it’s a sensitive time. We need to speak in one voice because this battle is for us to win. “We will face this together. We will not let those forces who want to destroy us be successful. We will not leave the dreams of those who died for us yesterday unfulfilled. If our neighbour thinks it can destabilise India, then it is making a big mistake,” PM Modi had said.
On February 25, announcing a major breakthrough in the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that it had identified the owner of the vehicle that was used by the attacker who has been claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed to be its recruit Adil Ahmed Dar.
The NIA said Monday that the Maruti Eeco car was last sold on February 4, just 10 days before the attack, to one Sajjad Bhat, a resident of Bijbehara in Anantnag, who is now absconding and is suspected to have joined Jaish.
Interestingly, on Monday evening, PTI reported quoting Pakistan Army spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor as saying that Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa met Air chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and the two chiefs deliberated on operational environment including threat and response. "Both chiefs expressed satisfaction on readiness, coordination and synergy. Pakistan Armed Forces are fully prepared for a befitting response to any Indian aggression or misadventure," he added, PTI reported.
India's earlier surgical strike following Uri attack
On the intervening night of September 28-29, 2016, Indian Army carried out surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), just eleven days after the Uri attack which had claimed the lives of 18 BSF soldiers. The army launched the attack targeting Pakistani terrorists positioned across the Line of Control. The then DGMO, Lt General Ranbir Singh, had announced on September 29 that India had conducted surgical strikes on terror pads along the LoC using ground forces and inflicted “significant casualties”.
On October 7, 2016, The Indian Express had reported graphic accounts provided by eyewitnesses living across the LoC of the surgical strikes, describing how bodies of those killed before dawn on September 29 were loaded onto trucks for secret burials. The eyewitnesses also described brief but intense fire engagements that destroyed makeshift buildings that housed terrorists, before they left for the last stage of their journeys across the LoC.
The surgical strikes were the first time the political leadership owned trans-LoC operations and marked a huge shift in the sanctity of the LoC as a de-facto international boundary. During the 1999 Kargil War, when the LoC had been respected as a not-to-be-crossed red line by the previous NDA government even though the Pakistan army had openly breached it.
Balakot: A 6-acre training camp for 600 terror recruits, run by Masood Azhar’s kin
The expectation of the Pakistani establishment that the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur would be the obvious target of the Indian retaliation for the Pulwama terrorist attack, led to a large number of Jaish cadre being “congregated” at the organisation’s main training centre in Balakot, top security officials have told The Indian Express. Read More
Mirage, Awacs, Sukhoi, Popeye: How IAF took down Jaish training camp
While the Indian Air Force was deployed during the 1999 Kargil conflict, Tuesday was the first time after the 1971 war that it fired on targets inside Pakistan. Although the entire operation, said to have got political clearance last week, lasted less than an hour and there was only one target, the risks were high and pressure for guaranteed success was huge. Read More
Delhi said terrorists were plotting another attack
By striking terrorist camps about 80 km away from the Line of Control in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, India chose “non-military” targets, the Jaish-e-Mohammed-run terror camps, and justified the strikes as “pre-emptive” since terrorists, Delhi said, were plotting another attack.
India strikes terror, deep in Pakistan: Next step, diplomatic outreach
Less than a fortnight after the single bloodiest attack in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three decades of militancy, India on Tuesday conducted air strikes deep inside Pakistan, the first time after the 1971 war that it has hit targets in the country. Announcing that India had struck the “biggest training camp” of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, in which “a very large number” of JeM terrorists and their trainers were “eliminated”, the NDA government, effectively, drew a new red line in its strategic calculus with Pakistan. Read More
Pak cinema body boycotts Indian content
Choudhary Fawad Hussain, Pakistan I&B Minister: "Cinema Exhibitors Association has boycotted Indian content, no Indian movie will be released in Pakistan. Also have instructed PEMRA to act against made in India advertisements."
Pakistan summons India's envoy
Pakistan summons India's acting High Commissioner and condemns "violation of its territorial sovereignty" by Indian jets, PTI reported
EU urges 'maximum restraint' from India, Pakistan after air strike
The EU has called on New Delhi and Islamabad to exercise "maximum restraint" after Indian Air Force destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot. "We remain in contact with both countries and what we believe is essential is that all exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters, reported PTI.
Will take international media to area of strikes: Pak Foreign Minister
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan will take international media to the area of strikes. Helicopters are being readied, right now weather is bad, will fly when weather permits, he said.
Explained: What does a non-military preemptive strike mean?
A non military preemptive strike means that a military target has not been hit by the Indian Air Force that carried out the strikes in the early hours of Tuesday. Hitting a military target would be construed as an act of war.
India, therefore, clarified that it was a non military strike. By calling it a preemptive action, it has taken the diplomatic pressure off itself that it acted to take revenge or for retribution. It has instead made it an act of self defence. READ MORE
Punjab border districts on high alert
Punjab has put its border districts on high alert in the wake of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strikes across the Line of Control, undertaken by India as a retaliatory measure in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Punjab Chief Minister's Office said.
Remain prepared for all eventualities: Pak PM Imran Khan tells country
Prime Minister Imran Khan asked armed forces and the people of Pakistan to remain "prepared for all eventualities" following a "non-military preemptive" strike by the Indian Air Force targeted at a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. Pakistan's top security committee said India has "committed uncalled for aggression" and vowed to respond "at the time and place of its choosing"
Maharashtra Assembly passes resolution congratulating armed forces
Maharashtra state legislature Assembly and council pass unanimous resolution congratulating armed forces for carrying out air strike on terror launch pads in Balakot.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the assembly, " The entire nation is proud of our armed forces. We salute our armed forces courage and action. They ensured the martyrdom of our jawans was not in vain. We have once again proved our might."
Jaish terrorists targeted in air strikes
Key Jaish e Mohammed terrorists targeted in today’s air strikes were Mufti Azhar Khan Kashmiri, head of Kashmir operations (pic 1) and Ibrahim Azhar (pic 2), the elder brother of Masood Azhar who was also involved in the IC-814 hijacking
Govt briefs foreign diplomats
Foreign diplomats from the USA, UK, Russia, Australia,Indonesia, Turkey and six ASEAN nations were being briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Indian air strike across LOC
Pakistan drone shot down near Gujarat border
A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was on Tuesday shot down near the International Border in Kutch district of Gujarat, police sources said. Debris of the UAV was seen near Nanghatad village in Abdasa taluka of Kutch, they said.
On hearing a loud sound around 6 am, villagers went to the spot and found the debris of the UAV, the sources said. Asked if a Pakistani UAV had been shot down by the Indian armed forces, a police official, on condition of anonymity, said, "Such an incident has happened, we are investigating the matter." The official, however, refused to elaborate further. Read more
China's reaction on India's Balakot strike
In its first reaction to India confirming a non-military preemptive strike on a major Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, China on Tuesday said that it hoped the two countries will maintain “restraint” and “do more to improve bilateral relations”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said: “India and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. Sound relations and cooperation serve the interest of both countries for peace and stability in South Asia.” He added: “We hope the two countries can keep restraint and do more to improve bilateral relations.” Read more
Won't let India bow down: PM Modi in Rajasthan
"I won't let India bow down. This is a promise that I make to you. I won't let the nation's name be erased. Rajasthan has given many brave soldiers to this nation. I bow to all you of you," Modi said
India in safe hands: Modi hours after strike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a gathering in Rajasthan. The rally comes hours after the strike. Reacting to the chants and slogans of the crowd, Modi says, "I understand your enthusiasm today. You are in a different mood." "I assure you that India is in safe hands," Modi said
Pakistan says it has ‘right to retaliate, self-defence’; Imran Khan calls meeting
"India committed an act of aggression. It is a violation of the LoC. I consider it a violation of the LoC, and Pakistan his right to give a suitable response in self-defence," Pakistan's foreign minister said. Read more here
India committed 'aggression': Pakistan foreign minister
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Qureshi said India has violated the LoC and Pakistan has the right to respond.
"First, they committed aggression against Pakistan today. It is a violation of the LoC. I consider it a violation of the LoC, and Pakistan his right to give a suitable response in self defence," he told reporters after an "emergency meeting" with high-level officials at the Foreign Office (FO) for consultations.
JeM terror camp was deep inside Pakistan: Sources
Sources told The Indian Express that JeM terror camp is deep inside Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The MEA, however, only confirmed that the camp was in Balakot and it was on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence.
All-party meeting at 5 pm today
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has called for an all-party meeting today at 5 pm. The government is likely to brief the Opposition about today's strikes on JeM terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan.
What is Mirage 2000?
Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighters were used to destroy the terror camp, reports ANI. The jet is one among the IAF’s strategic aircraft.
During the Kargil War, India needed aircraft that could perform at the highest terrains and bad climate. While the Indian side had MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-27s in its arsenal, they were not able to dislodge the Pakistani side. This is when Mirage 2000 was put to use. The jet was used to drop laser-guided bombs to destroy well-entrenched positions of the Pakistani forces
During Operation Safed Sagar, two Mirage aircraft flew a total of 514 sorties and destroyed the command and control bunkers of Pakistan’s Northern Light Infantry. Armed with Laser Guided Bombs, the jets repeatedly struck the heavily defended Tiger Hill. The impressive service of the Mirage 2000 in 1999 prompted the government to make another order for Mirage 2000. Read more
Balakot camp was led by Azhar's brother-in-law
Foreign Secretary Gokhale said the terror camp was led by Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, the brother in law of JeM Chief Masood Azhar. FS Gokhale also said the selection of the target was conditioned by India's desire to avoid civilian casualties.
Non-military preemptive strike: Foreign Secretary
FS Gokahle today saidthat India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to act on JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed and that information related to the location of terror camps in Pakistan and PoK has been provided to Pakistan many times. "India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against the JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed inside Pakistan. Pakistan has taken no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil.
"Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of imminent danger, a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary.
"In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by MAULANA YOUSUF AZHAR (alias USTAD GHOURI), the brother-in-law of MASOOD AZHAR, Chief of JeM," Gokhale said, adding that it was a "non-military preemptive strike."
A very large number of JeM trainers and fidayeen were killed: Vijay Gokhale, FS
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale today confirmed that India struck a training centre of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in the early hours of Tuesday and a large number of trainers as well as fidayeens were killed. The attack, Gokhale said, was a "non-military preemptive strike".
'Brilliant action, there is a limit to India's tolerance'
Former IAF Chief AY Tipnis says IAF strike across LoC "conveys that though Pakistan uses terrorism as a tool against India, we are within our rights of International law to take such action." Read more here.
IAF has capability to fix and hit targets during day and night
The capability to fix and hit the target, both during day and night and even in cloudy weather, was demonstrated by the IAF in Exercise Vayu Shakti earlier this month in Jaisalmer. The firepower demonstration had showcased capabilities which were way beyond those used during the Kargil War. IAF had used Mirage 2000 to fore laser guided bombs, fixed hastily when the Kargil conflict was on, to target Pakistani posts on the mountains of Kargil.
Mamata Banerjee tweets congratulating IAF
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has tweeted a new abbreviation for the IAF.
Sensex opens 350 points down
The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 350 points in early trade Tuesday amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, weak Asian cues and selling pressure on banking, power, IT and power counters. The Sensex was trading 343.20 points, or 0.95 per cent, down at 35,870.18 after touching a low of 35,842.58. The gauge rallied 342 points in Monday's trade. - PTI
Air strikes by India first since 1971 war
The reports of airstrikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, although not officially confirmed, is the first time Indian Air Force has been used in Pakistan controlled air space after the 1971 war. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, the Vajpayee government had decided to restrict the use of IAF to own side of LoC.
Alert level is higher than normal levels: AOC Air Force Station Chandigarh
The AOC Air Force Station, Chandigarh, Air Commodore S Srinivasan has said air defence measures are in place at the Chandigarh air base. "No fighter operation took place from here. All airfields of IAF were on enhanced alert after Pulwama," he said. "I have to be more alert because Chandigarh is surrounded by three states. So we have to be on a very high level of alert. This base is capable of undertaking all operational flights," Air Commodore Srinivasan added.
Press briefing by Foreign Secretary at 11.30 am
Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale will brief the media at 11.30 am today.
Radio Pak reports Pak Foreign Minister has called for a meeting
Radio Pakistan reports that Pakistan Finance Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting today to "discuss situation after Indian Air Force's violation of LOC. The meeting will discuss the security situation. It will be attended by former secretaries and senior ambassadors," Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan: Intrusion within AJ&K was 3-4 miles
Pakistan's Major General Asif Ghafoor tweets again: "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."
Delhi CM Kejriwal salutes armed forces
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted congratulating the armed forces for striking terror camps in PoK.
NSA briefs PM Modi, CCS likely to meet today
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is underway.
IAF puts defence systems on high alert
News agency ANI reports that the Indian Air Force has put on high alert all air defence systems along the international border and LoC to respond to any possible action by Pakistan Air Force.
Omar Abdullah tweets, asks which Balakote
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah tweeted asking for clarity on the location where the IAF strikes took place.
"If this is Balakote in KPK it’s a major incursion & a significant strike by IAF planes. However if it’s Balakote in Poonch sector, along the LoC it’s a largely symbolic strike because at this time of the year forward launch pads & militant camps are empty & non-functional," he tweeted.
First official confirmation comes from Union Minister Shekhawat
The first official confirmation comes from Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat. He tweeted a picture of the Mirage releasing a missile in the air. It's not clear if the photo is of this morning's attack or not.