Feb 26, 2019
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force fighter jets bombed and destroyed the training
camps of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot and other places, the Government announced
on Tuesday. The strikes were carried out at 3:30 am by a dozen Mirage-2000 fighter
jets.
The jets dropped 1,000 kg of laser-guided bombs on terror training camps. A
large number of terrorists were eliminated in the non-military strike, said
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.
Army sources said the IAF jets struck terror camps in Balakot at around 3.45
am, Muzafarrabad at around 3.48 am and Chakoti at around 3.58 am.
A "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders were killed,
accordiong to official sources. Around 350 terrorists and trainers were killed
at the Balakot camp of Jaish-e- Mohammed, sources said.
The IAF strikes follow the suicide bombing of a CRPF convoy in Pulwama by Jaish-e-Mohammed
militants on February 14 in which over 40 soldiers were killed. The J-e-M had
claimed responsibility for the attack.
India had earlier carried out strikes on terror camps across the border after
the terror attack on an army base in Uri.
Reacting to the strike, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan asked armed forces
and the people of Pakistan to remain "prepared for all eventualities." He said
India committed an uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at
a "time and place of its choosing." A joint session of the Parliament is being
called.
Meanwhile, China has urged India, Pakistan to "exercise restraint." Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media, "I want to say that India
and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. A sound relationship
and cooperation between the two serves the interests of both the countries and
peace and stability in South Asia."
Russian, Indian and Chinese (RIC) Foreign Ministers are meeting at Chinese
city of Wuzhen on Wednesday. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled
to attend.
