In an early dawn air strike avenging the deaths of 40 Indian troops in Pulwama, Indian Air Force jets targeted and destroyed the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on February 26 and projected calibrated retaliation as a “non-military preemptive strike.”
In barely 19 minutes, twelve Mirage 2000 fighter jets struck joint training camps of Jaish and LeT inside Pakistan and liquidated them by shelling 1,000 kg bombs.
Confirming the air strike, India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that “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, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, chief of JeM,” he said.
With the world watching closely, India projected the air attack on Pakistan terror camps as a non-military pre-emptive action taken in the nation’s self-defence. “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,” said Mr Gokhale.
Justifying the strike, Mr Gokhale said: “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.”
India also accused Pakistan of deliberate inaction by refusing to take “no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil.”
“Information regarding the location of training camps in Pakistan and PoJK has been provided to Pakistan from time to time. Pakistan, however, denies their existence. The existence of such massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jihadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistan authorities.”
Diplomatic packaging
“By packaging the air strike as a pre-emptive non-military strike, India has made it clear to the world that the action taken is not only in national self-defence, and is not meant for escalating tensions,” said Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network and India and World magazine. “At the same time, India has served notice to Pakistan that denial and equivocation about terror camps in Pakistan, patronised by the military establishment, will not work anymore, and will be met by tough and proportionate response,” he said.
“As a prelude to the air strike, the Indian government had already created a supportive international environment by a massive diplomatic outreach. The world stands solidly behind India,” he said.
Full text of statement by India’s Foreign Secretary on the February, 26 2019 strike on JeM training camp at Balakot
On 14 February 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by a Pak based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad, leading to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans of the CRPF. JeM has been active in Pakistan for the last two decades, and is led by MASOOD AZHAR with its headquarters in Bahawalpur.
This organization, which is proscribed by the UN, has been responsible for a series of terrorist attacks, including on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 and the Pathankot airbase in January 2016.
Information regarding the location of training camps in Pakistan and PoJK has been provided to Pakistan from time to time. Pakistan, however, denies their existence. The existence of such massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jihadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistan authorities.
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.
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.
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.
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