After surgical strike by IAF, Sushma Swaraj calls all-party meeting
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IBNS): Following the surgical strike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold an all-party meeting at 5 pm on Tuesday.
The Indian government on Tuesday said the IAF had carried out a "non-military pre-emptive" surgical strike, which seems to be a fitting reply to the recent Pulwama attack, that had left over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel martyred.
Several opposition leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi lauded the IAF for carrying out the surgical strike.
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.
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."
Reports said 1,000 kg bombs were dropped on Jaish bases across the LoC by multiple jets, including the IAF’s Mirage 2000.
Major General AK Siwach told NDTV: "There is absolutely no question that India is now on the highest alert. The strikes have been very successful, and now we must stay guarded.
The Pulwama attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
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