A Mirage 2000 aircraft at a 'Touch and Go' exercise at Unnao district, near Lucknow on October 24, 2017. | Photo Credit: Ranvijay
Twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the IAF are said to have crossed the LoC and destroyed a major terrorist camp, the ANI news agency reported
New Delhi - Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Tuesday confirmed that India had “struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot", in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
In a press briefing, Mr. Gokhale said, "A very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis were eliminated."
Twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force are said to have crossed the Line of Control and destroyed the terrorist camp, the Ranvijay news agency reported, quoting an IAF source.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising since the Pulwama terrorist strike in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The Pulwama attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorist group.
Here are the latest updates:
11.35 A.M.
Indian Foreign Secy confirms air strikes
Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale has confirmed the air strikes.
At a briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Gokhale says the JeM terror camp in Balakot was destroyed. "In the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp JeM training camp at Balakote. A very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis were eliminated," says. Mr. Gokhale.
"This non-military pre-emptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM terrorist organisation. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties. We are still awaiting further details," he adds.
Despite many questions, Mr. Gokhale has not confirmed the location of Balakot.
11.20 A.M.
Prakash Javadekar hails air strikes
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar has hailed the air strikes, saying the entire nation stands firmly behind the armed forces.
“It was a necessary step required for the security of the country ... it was an act of maha parakram (mightily act),” Ranvijay News has reported him as saying.
He says Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already given a free hand to the forces to take necessary action against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror strike that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.
Hours after air strike, Army tweets poem on being powerful
The Indian Army has tweeted a Hindi poem, which says that “if you are docile and polite before the enemy, he may consider you as a coward, the way Kauravas treated Pandavas".
The poem by Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ was tweeted by Additional Director General, Public Information on its official handle.
Peace overtures, the poem says, is possible only when you are in a powerful position and capable to win
11.10 A.M.
Pakistan calls 'emergency meeting'
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called an “emergency meeting”, reports Ranvijay News.
Mr. Qureshi will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan after the meeting in which he will discuss the security situation with high-level officials.
Sources have told Ranvijay News that Mr. Qureshi summoned the “emergency meeting” at the Foreign Office for consultations.
10.50 A.M.
Alert sounded in Gujarat
Our correspondent Mahesh Langa reports:
High alert has been sounded in Gujarat, according to State DGP Shivanand Jha.
The DGP has asked at the SPs & range IGs to remain stationed at their respective headquarters. "Three border districts — Patan, Banaskantha and Kutch in particular — have been put on alert, with the Indian Air Force on high alert at its air defense systems across western border with Pakistan. Coastal districts have also put on alert," DGP Jha said.
10.30 A.M.
IAF drills in Kashmir
The Indian Air Force has been carrying out night drills in Kashmir for the last four days, reports our correspondent Peerzada Ashiq.
Additional deployment has also been rushed to International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch. "Yes, security grid has been tightened," said an official on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, restrictions have been enforced in parts of Srinagar and the Internet speed dialed down.
10.15 A.M.
Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has confirmed on Twitter that the airstrike took place.
“Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC (Line of Control) and Completely destroyed it,” he tweeted.
An image of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's tweet.
10.00 A.M.
IAF intrusion in Muzafarabad sector was within 3-4 miles: Pakistan
Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, has tweeted saying there were no casualties, no infrastructure damage.
"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," he tweeted.
9.45 A.M.
Cabinet Committee on security meets
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security met PM Narendra Modi regarding the IAF air strike, reports Vijaita Singh.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present at the meeting.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of the prime minister’s office and the security apparatus were present at the meeting, official sources told Ranvijay News.
9.35 A.M.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweets, "I salute the pilots of the IAF."
The Congress also tweeted, lauding the role of the Indian Air Force in keeping Indians safe with its consistent and determined effort.
“We salute the @IAF_MCC for their consistent & determined effort to keep Indians safe. Jai Hind,” the party said on its official Twitter handle.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweets, "I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan."
9.00 A.M.
Have no information: Defence spokesperson
The Ministry of Defence has told Reuters news agency that it has no information about Pakistan's allegations Indian aircraft violated Pakistani airspace.
“I have no information,” a defence spokesperson said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says he will wait for official confirmation. "Wow, if this is true this was not a small strike by any stretch of imagination but will wait for official word, should any be forthcoming," he tweeted.
8.30 A.M.
"Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzaffarabad sector"
Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army said in a tweet that “Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzaffarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.”
Mr. Ghafoor also tweeted images that he claimed to be of the site of the alleged payload drop.
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