#IndiaHitsBack: Non-military pre-emptive surgical strike destroyed biggest Jaish camp in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir, govt confirms

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.

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."

He said in this strike in early hours a very large number of Jaish terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jehadis who were being trained for fidayaan action were eliminated. This camp was headed by Maulana Yusuf Azhar, he said.

"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. 

Reports said 1,000 kg bombs were dropped on Jaish bases across the LoC by multiple jets, including the IAF’s Mirage 2000. 

Major General AK Siwach told NDTV: "There is absolutely no question that India is now on the highest alert. The strikes have been very successful, and now we must stay guarded. 

The Pulwama attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Pakistan reacts:

Pakistan's defence spokesperson, however, claimed in a tweet: "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."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security which was being attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also. 

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Rajnath Singh -- all members of CCS were present at the meeting.

India blamed Pakistan for Pulwama

The latest strike by the IAF occurred just two weeks after the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.

India after the attack by a suicide bomber of Jaish-e-Mohammad said: "This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries. This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity."

Surgical Strike in 2016

In Sept 2016, amid mass anger in India over the Uri attack in Kashmir, India had carried out surgical strikes crossing the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), targeting terrorist launchpads working from within the neighbouring country.

Pakistan denied that there were surgical attacks calling India's claims as "fabrication of truth" but Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had warned India against any aggression.

Image credit: IAF