IAF Air Strike in Pakistan Highlights: India, early Tuesday morning, struck a key terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, eliminating JeM terrorists including fidayeen who were undergoing training. At a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed a “non-military preemptive action” specifically targeting at a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. Gokhale said the target was chosen to avoid civilian casualties. Gokhale said the camp, located in thick forests on a hill top away from civilian areas, was run by Maulana Yusuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar. He said there was credible information that JeM was planning suicide attacks similar to Pulwama in other parts of the country and hence this strike was necessary.
Pakistan armed forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed Indian aircraft “intruded from Muzaffarabad sector” and “dropped a payload” near Balakot “facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force”. Pakistan summoned India’s acting High Commissioner and condemned “violation of its territorial sovereignty” by Indian jets.
Reacting to India’s press briefing, Pakistan said it would respond to India’s “aggression” at a time and place of its choosing. Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a joint session of Parliament on February 27.