India avenges Pulwama terror attack striking inside Pakistan, destroys Jaish camp

The Pulwama attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on Feb 14 in Kashmir, triggering a nationwide outrage in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi swearing that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

The Indian government on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) had carried out a "non-military pre-emptive" surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Briefing the media, India's foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said it was a non-military pre-emptive strike aimed at Jaish camps.

"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," the foreign secretary said.

He said India repeatedly urged Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil but without any action.

"A pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he said even as government sources were quoted in media claiming that about 300 militants were killed in the pre-dawn strikes in which 1,000 kg bombs were dropped on Jaish bases across the LoC by multiple jets, including 12 IAF’s Mirage 2000 that took off from Gwalior.

Justifying the action, Gokhale said: "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."

"The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism. Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties. The facility is located in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence. As the strike has taken place only a short while ago, we are awaiting further details," he said.

The foreign secretary said the Government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India. We expect that Pakistan lives up to its public commitment and takes follow up actions to dismantle all JeM and other camps and hold the terrorists accountable for the actions.

He said Pakistan as per its assurance should eliminate all terror camps.

Will not allow Mother India to bend: Modi

Hours after the Indian government confirmed that a surgical strike was conducted by the Air Force to target terror camp across the Line of Control, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that the country was in 'safe hands'.

"I want to assure you all that the country is in safe hands," Modi said at a rally in Rajasthan.

Modi said: "I pledge on this soil, I will not let the country die, I will not let the country stop, I will not let the country bend."

Pakistan denies but asks its forces to remain prepared:

Pakistan's defence spokesperson, however, claimed in a tweet soon after the attack: "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."

Rejecting India's claims of surgical strike, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party PTI said on Twitter, "Once again Indian government has resorted to a self serving, reckless and fictitious claim."

Khan has asked his armed forces and people to remain prepared for all eventualities. 

He has also decided to engage with global leadership to "expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region".

The PTI said: "...PM appreciated timely and effective response of PAF to repulse Indian attempt without any loss of life or property."

Khan and his committee also alleged that India claimed the surgical strike to create an election environment in the country. India is heading towards the General Elections in slightly more than a month's time.

Khan's strong words came days after he asked India to give peace a chance.

However after the Pulwama attack, the Pakistani Prime Minister had warned India of retaliation if war is declared against his country.

India's Opposition parties praise IAF:

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier stated his outfit is with the government and the Army post-Pulwama attack, tweeted," I salute the pilots of the IAF."

In an early tweet, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conferece (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, had said: "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."

Later he said: "So it is Balakote in KPK. That’s a strike deep inside Pakistan & is hugely embarrassing for them. Regardless of what the other side may claim was or wasn’t hit the planes crossed over, dropped their payload & flew back completely unscathed."

In a different tone, other former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted, "Pulwama attacks has undoubtedly vitiated the nation’s atmosphere. People are baying for blood & want revenge. But lets not forget violence begets violence. Having said that in which part of the world does advocating peace and not wanting senseless violence make one a traitor?"

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, termed IAF as "India's Amazing Fighters".

"I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan," Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, said on Twitter.

Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, HD Kumaraswamy, said: "My Salute to the Indian Airforce. Jai Jawan.. Jai Hind.."

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, Mayawati, has saluted the IAF but also stated the surgical strike before 2015 would have saved several lives lost in successive terror attacks like in Pathankot, Uri and Pulwama.

She said in a tweet, "IAF strike destroying terrorist camps across LoC is welcome action. Salute & respect to their bravery. PM Modi gave free hand to Army only after Pulwama attack. Had it been earlier Pathankot, Uri & Pulwama like tragedy & loss of precious lives of jawans could have been averted."

Ex-Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party (SP) president, Akhilesh Yadav, tweeted, "I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC."

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury called the surgical strike as an "effective action".

Pakistan fires across LoC hours after India's strike

Pakistan this evening carried out unprovoked firing in at least three sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), said reports.

The ceasefire violations, which come hours after Indian Air Force carried out a major pre-emptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad's biggest camp in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), were reported from Akhnoor, Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors.

“There are ceasefire violations by Pakistan along LoC in Akhnoor, Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors on Tuesday. At about 1730 hours (5.30 pm), Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to heavy shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Akhnoor, Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors,” Hindustan Times quoted Defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand as saying. The Indian Army retaliated strongly.