Srinagar, Feb 26 (IBNS): Pakistan this evening carried out unprovoked firing in at least three sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), said reports.
The ceasefire violations, which come hours after Indian Air Force carried out a major pre-emptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad's biggest camp in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), were reported from Akhnoor, Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors.
“There are ceasefire violations by Pakistan along LoC in Akhnoor, Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors on Tuesday. At about 1730 hours (5.30 pm), Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to heavy shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Akhnoor, Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors,” Hindustan Times quoted Defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand as saying. The Indian Army retaliated strongly.
Paying back Pakistan days after the Pulwama terror attack which left over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel dead, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a pre-dawn surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) destroying what it called the biggest camp of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
The Pulwama attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on Feb 14 in Kashmir, triggering a nationwide outrage in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi swearing that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
The Indian government on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) had carried out a "non-military pre-emptive" surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Briefing the media, India's foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said it was a non-military pre-emptive strike aimed at Jaish camps.
"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 foreign secretary said.
He said India repeatedly urged Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil but without any action.
"A pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he said even as government sources were quoted in media claiming that about 300 militants were killed in the pre-dawn strikes in which 1,000 kg bombs were dropped on Jaish bases across the LoC by multiple jets, including 12 IAF’s Mirage 2000 that took off from Gwalior.
Justifying the action, Gokhale said: "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."
"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," he said.
The foreign secretary said 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.
He said Pakistan as per its assurance should eliminate all terror camps.
Will not allow Mother India to bend: Modi
Hours after the Indian government confirmed that a surgical strike was conducted by the Air Force to target terror camp across the Line of Control, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that the country was in 'safe hands'.
"I want to assure you all that the country is in safe hands," Modi said at a rally in Rajasthan.
Modi said: "I pledge on this soil, I will not let the country die, I will not let the country stop, I will not let the country bend."
Pakistan denies but asks its forces to remain prepared:
Pakistan's defence spokesperson, however, claimed in a tweet soon after the attack: "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."
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