“India struck the biggest JeM terror camp in Balakot, run by Mazood Azhar’s brother-in-law,” said Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale addressing the media on Tuesday, 26 February, after air strikes were carried out by the Indian Air Force across the LoC at 3:30 am.
He further said that a large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander & Jihadis were eliminated.
Reports suggest that 12 Mirage 2000 Indian Fighter jets dropped 1,000 kg bombs destroying terror camps across the LoC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting after the news of air strike.
Balakot is the area where a huge blast was heard. (Source: Google Map)
Snapshot
- Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted “saluting” the Indian Air Force
- There was a huge blast heard near Balakot but the quantum of the damage has not been ascertained, according to reports
- Pak alleges that the IAF released “payload” in haste on their way back
- The last time IAF intentionally crossed border was in 1971
11:40 AM, 26 Feb
India Struck the Biggest JeM Terror Camp in Balakot: Foreign Secy
“India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)in Balakot,” said Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. He further said that a large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander & Jihadis were eliminated.
Gokhale further said that credible information was received that JeM was attempting other attacks in the country.
11:30 AM, 26 Feb
Good Step by the Govt: Lt Gen Hooda
Lt Gen DS Hooda, who oversaw the surgical strike, said that this is a good step by the government, reported CNBC-Awaaz.
Speaking to the channel Lt Hooda said, “I am happy that this has been done. After Pulwama it was necessary.” He further complimented the government for its planning.
11:19 AM, 26 Feb
Salute the Air Force for Meticulous Operation: Ram Madhav
BJP leader Ram Madhav tweeted, “Every Indian who had d pain n anguish of d martyrdom of our forces is greatly relieved and delighted this morning. Salute to d Air Force for a meticulous operation. Our forces r world class anyway. It is d political will of our PM n team that made all d difference. (sic)”
11:10 AM, 26 Feb
Each Time You Attack, We Will Get Back Harder and Stronger: MoS External Affairs
Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh said, “They say they want India to bleed with a 1000 cuts. We say that each time you attack us, be certain we will get back at you, harder and stronger.”
11:04 AM, 26 Feb
‘Necessary Step for Security’: Javadekar on IAF’s Strike in Pak
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that IAF's strike across LoC was ‘necessary for the security’. He further said that the entire country is backing the forces.
11:00 AM, 26 Feb
One Target Destroyed in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Area: Reports
One of the targets destroyed by the IAF Mirage jets was in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area, reported ANI quoting sources.
10:45 AM, 26 Feb
Foreign Secretary to Brief the Media at 11:30 AM
There will be a briefing by Foreign Secretary at 11: 30 am.
10:38 AM, 26 Feb
Mirage Fighters Took Off From Ambala Airbase: Reports
The Mirage fighters that were used for the air strike took off from the Ambala air base, and the whole operation tool 30 minutes, reported BBC quoting IAF sources.
10:32 AM, 26 Feb
Proud of Our Forces: Tejashwi Yadav
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav saluted the bravery of pilots and Air Force and said “proud of our forces”.
10:20 AM, 26 Feb
Pakistan Foreign Minister Calls an Emergency Meeting
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan.
10:05 AM, 26 Feb
JeM Leaders Were Moved to Safe Locations before the Strike: Reports
JeM leaders were moved to a safe location before the air strike carried by the Indian Air Force, reported India Today quoting sources.
Brother of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, Abdul Rouf Asghar, is believed to have been moved out to Punjab.
10:01 AM, 26 Feb
First Photo of PM Modi Holding Meeting With Top Leaders Post Strike
(Photo: ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Tuesday, 26 February, at his residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg after the IAF carried out cross-border strike.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale were present for the meeting.
9:57 AM, 26 Feb
IAF on High Alert after Reported Strikes
Indian Air Force has been put on high alert. All air defence systems along the International border and LoC to respond to any possible action by Pakistan Air Force.
9:54 AM, 26 Feb
Salute the Bravery of IAF Who Made Us Proud: Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, hailed the “strike” and saluted the bravery of Indian Air Force.
9:51 AM, 26 Feb
This is Modi's India: MoS Agriculture
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed the air strike and congratulated the prime minister for “destroying” the terror camps across the LoC.
9:48 AM, 26 Feb
PM Modi Reportedly Meeting Defence Minister and Fin Min
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly in a meeting with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
9:36 AM, 26 Feb
I Salute the Pilots of IAF: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to “salute” the pilots of the Indian Air Force.
9:31 AM, 26 Feb
If They Have Gone Deep Into Pak, It Shows Our Planning: Vinod Patney
Former Air Chief Marshal Vinod Patney told CNN-News18 that after Pulwama attack India had to retaliate and do something.
“If they have really gone deep into Pakistan then it says two things: Our planning and lack of planning on the other side. Of course, there are some characters on the other side who will say nothing happened.”
9:27 AM, 26 Feb
India Crossed LoC, Attacked Pakistan: Mosharraf Asif
“If Indian Air Force planes dropped payload in Balakot, they crossed across the LOC, and then across the entirety of Azad Kashmir, and then into Khyber Pakhtukhwa,” tweeted Pakistan based strategic expert.
9:15 AM, 26 Feb
Balakot Quite Far Into LoC, Without Casualties Highly Successful Mission: Singhvi
Responding to the news of a possible air strike by India, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, “Balakot which is quite far out into the LOC is a deep strike and purportedly where Hafeez Saeed gives a lot of his addresses. If IAF penetrated that deep without casualties it's a highly successful mission.”
9:05 AM, 26 Feb
Rupee Opens Lower at 71.26 against Dollar
The rupee slipped 29 paise to open at 71.26 against the US dollar in Tuesday’s early trade. The currency had closed at 70.97 on Monday.
9:02 AM, 26 Feb
If True, Not a Small Strike by Any Stretch: Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah tweeted saying if the news is true then the strike is not “small’ by any stretch.
8:55 AM, 26 Feb
200-300 Casualties: Reports
Top government sources said that the casualties run in hundreds reported CNN-News18.
8:52 AM, 26 Feb
12 Mirage Jets Dropped 1,000 Kg Bombs: Reports
12 Mirage 2000 Indian Fighter jets struck terror camps across the LoC at 3:30 am on Tuesday, 26 February, and dropped 1,000 kg bombs destroying the camps, reported ANI quoting IAF sources.
8:46 AM, 26 Feb
Pak Armed Forces Spokesperson Tweets Pictures of the Strike
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@OfficialDGISPR)
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@OfficialDGISPR)
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@OfficialDGISPR)
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@OfficialDGISPR)
8:01 AM, 26 Feb
Attempt to Attack JeM Camps: Reports
Multiple Indian Air Force jets crossed LoC and attempts were made to attack Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, reported CNN-News18 quoting government sources.
However the quantum of damage has not yet been ascertained but the channel reported that there was a huge blast heard near Balakot.
7:49 AM, 26 Feb
IAF Jets Violated the LoC, Pak Army Alleges
Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor, on Twitter claimed "Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back."