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2019 Balakot airstrike

Coordinates: 34°27′48″N 73°19′08″E / 34.46333°N 73.31889°E / 34.46333; 73.31889
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2019 Balakot airstrike
Part of 2019 India–Pakistan standoff
Date26 February 2019 (2019-02-26)
Location
Balakot, Pakistan[1][2]
34°27′48″N 73°19′08″E / 34.46333°N 73.31889°E / 34.46333; 73.31889
Result Destruction of JeM terror camp at Balakot. [3][4] (Indian claim)
Belligerents

 India

Jaish-e-Mohammed

 Pakistan

Commanders and leaders
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa
(CAS)
Air Marshal Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar
(AOC-in-C, Western Air Command)[5]		 Maulana Yousuf Azhar
(Indian claim)[6]		 Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan
Units involved
Western Air Command[7][5] Unknown Unknown
Strength
12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets[7] Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
None Indian claim: 300–350 militants killed[8][9] Pakistani claim: 0-1 civilians injured[10][11][12]
2019 Balakot airstrike is located in Kashmir
2019 Balakot airstrike
class=notpageimage|
Location of the airstrike in Balakot, Pakistan
2019 Balakot airstrike is located in Pakistan
2019 Balakot airstrike
2019 Balakot airstrike (Pakistan)

The 2019 Balakot airstrike is a part of the 2019 India–Pakistan standoff, and occurred on 26 February 2019, when twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir, performing an airstrike inside Pakistan. India said the airstrike was in retaliation to the Pulwama attack, which took place two weeks prior to the strike.[13]

According to India, the jets struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed-operated militant camp at Balakot killing a large number of militants—reported to be between 200 and 350—and returned back into Indian airspace unharmed without being engaged by Pakistani aircraft.[13][14]

According to Pakistan, the aircraft violated their airspace near Muzaffarabad. Pakistan scrambled its jets in response, forcing the Indian jets to retreat to Indian airspace. In the process of returning to Indian airspace, the aircraft had to drop their payloads. Pakistan claimed that no casualties or damage had been inflicted.[15][16]

Subsequent to the incident, Indian and Pakistani troops shelled each other across the Line of Control; Pakistan reported four civilians killed and eleven wounded by Indian shelling.[17]

The airstrike was the first time since the war of 1971 that Indian Air Force aircraft crossed the Line of Control and the first time since both states have become nuclear powers.[18][a]

Background

Further information: Kashmir conflict, Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism, and 2019 Pulwama attack

On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 46 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and the attacker. The perpetrator of the attack was from Indian-administered Kashmir.[20] The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).[21][22][23] Pakistan condemned the attack, and denied any connection to it.[24]

The airstrike occurred ahead of the 2019 Indian general election.[25][26] On February 19, Pakistan's PM attributed Indian government's desire to attack Pakistan to the upcoming election.[27][28] The Indian government rejected the allegation.[27]

NDTV reported that JeM had moved many recruits, along with their trainers and other militants, out of Azad Kashmir and to Balakot Tehsil, on the border between Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[8] According to WikiLeaks, a 2004 United States Department of Defence interrogation report stated that Balakot was "a location known to house a training camp that offers both basic and advanced terrorist training on explosives and artillery."[29] The Deccan Herald reported that Indian intelligence claimed that the camp was located in a hilltop forest, 20 km (12 mi) from Balakot, and that it was a resort-style facility, with space and room for 500–700 militants, including a swimming pool, cooks and cleaners.[30] The New York Times reported that "Western security officials have raised questions about the existence of a large-scale training camp, saying that Pakistan no longer runs such camps and that militant groups are spread out in small groups around the country".[31] Some local villagers stated that the camp had been turned into a madrasa several years ago, and was frequented by students.[32]

Incident

IAF Mirage 2000 at the Gwalior air force base
Map

Indian version

On 26 February 2019, twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crossed the Line of Control around 3:30 am and bombed a JeM-operated terrorist camp at Balakot. The Indian foreign secretary termed the airstrike as "non-military, preemptive airstrikes".[13] This was India's first airstrike within Pakistan since the war of 1971.[33] Some Indian news channels also reported two more airstrikes by India on terrorist launch pads in Chakothi and Muzaffarabad.[34]

The Mirage 2000s were carrying SPICE 2000 and Popeye precision-guided munitions. They were supported by four Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Netra and Phalcon airborne early warning and control aircraft, an IAI Heron UAV, and two Ilyushin Il-78 aerial refuelling aircraft.[35] After releasing the bombs, the jets returned back into Indian airspace unharmed. Pakistan scrambled its F-16 jets but they could not engage the Indian planes.[36]

Indian media reported that the camp was levelled, and about 200–350 JeM militants were killed.[37][38]

Pakistani version

The efficacy of this attack has been contested by Pakistan. In a press briefing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman, Major General Asif Ghafoor stated that three IAF teams were spotted approaching the Pakistan border from various sectors in the early hours of 26 February. He added that the two of these teams did not cross the border following a challenge from Pakistani aircraft flying combat air patrol, but the third one crossed the Line of Control from the Kiran Valley near Muzaffarabad before being intercepted by Pakistani Air Force (PAF) jets within three minutes of the incursion.[39]

According to Pakistani sources, the quick scrambling of PAF jets resulted in the Indian aircraft retreating back across the Line of Control,[40] in the process releasing their payload and a fuel dump in an open area. According to these sources, there were no casualties or infrastructure damage as a result of the attack.[41][42] This version was further corroborated by the accounts of the area locals and photos of the bombed site.[43]

Aftermath

Further information: 2019 India–Pakistan standoff

The IAF put air defence systems on alert along the international border and Line of Control to respond to any possible retaliation by the Pakistan Air Force.[44]

Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan to discuss the security situation.[45]. He also stated that Pakistan will take international media to the area of strikes. Helicopters were being prepared, but due to bad weather conditions, they will fly when weather permits.[46]

ANI claimed to have released photos of the alleged JeM camp and weapons cache sourced from intelligence sources.[47][48][49] Foreign diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, China and six ASEAN nations were briefed by Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale on the strike conducted.[50]

Reactions

India

India's foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale stated that the IAF had conducted strikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp, in retaliation for the 2019 Pulwama attack which he said was orchestrated by the group. He claimed that the strikes were motivated by a "lack of Pakistani action on terrorism" combined with "imminent danger" from terrorists. He claimed that the strike resulted in large casualties for Jaish-e-Mohammad, and that the target was chosen to minimize damage to civilians following intelligence reports.[51] Earlier, the spokesperson of the Indian Defense Ministry said that he had no information about Pakistani allegations of airspace violations.[52]

Pakistan

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, foreign minister of Pakistan, said that Pakistan reserved the right to retaliate.[53] The prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, convened an emergency meeting to review the situation.[54] At the end of this meeting, the National Security Council (NSC) released a statement denying Indian claims of the destruction of any terrorist camp. The statement described the attack as "uncalled for", and added that retaliation would be forthcoming after a joint parliamentary session.[55][56]

Others

Australia noted its condemnation of Pulwama attack and asked Pakistan to crack down on terrorists operating from its soil. It also asked both India and Pakistan to restrain from actions that would jeopardize peace.[57] China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang stated "We hope that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and adopt actions that will help stabilize the situation in the region and improve mutual relations".[58] France asked both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, saying that it supported Indian actions against terrorism and asked Pakistan to stop allowing its territory to be used by terrorists.[59] The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the airstrike and called on both India and Pakistan to show restraint.[60] United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo termed the attack as a "counter-terrorism action" and reaffirmed US-India ties. He asked both sides to show restraint.[61]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ India became a nuclear power with successful Smiling Buddha operation in 1974 and Pakistan's successful operation of Chagai-I took place in 1998.[19]

References

  1. ^ "India destroys JeM terror camps: Where exactly is Balakot?". Business Today. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  2. ^ "India-Pakistan tension: Where is the real Balakot, the Indian Air Force target?". Gulf News. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  3. ^ "5-star Balakot Camp Was Sitting Duck Target for IAF, 350 Terrorists Killed While Sleeping: Sources". Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Balakot strike after intel on Pulwama 'celebration' meet". Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Kerala man behind IAF air strike in Pakistan". MyNation. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Jaish chief Masood Azhar's brother-in-law was target of IAF strike in Balakot". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b "IAF Western Air Command coordinated 'anti-terror operation'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  8. ^ a b Prabhu, Sunil (26 February 2019). Ghosh, Deepshikha (ed.). "India Strikes After Pulwama Terror Attack, Hits Biggest Jaish-e-Mohammed Camp In Balakot". NDTV.
  9. ^ "Indian Air Strike Destroys Terror Camp In Pakistan, Upto 350 Terrorists Killed". BloombergQuint. Press Trust of India. 26 February 2019.
  10. ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1466286
  11. ^ https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1100207947022565377
  12. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-villagers-idUSKCN1QF0PX
  13. ^ a b c "India Hits Main Jaish Camp In Balakot, "Non-Military" Strike: Government". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Indian jets bomb targets within Pakistan". News.com.au. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Indian aircraft violate LoC, scramble back after PAF's timely response: ISPR". Dawn. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "India says carried out air strike on 'terror camps' inside Pakistan". Reuters. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Naqash, Tariq (27 February 2019). "4 AJK civilians dead, 11 wounded in 'indiscriminate' Indian shelling across LoC". DAWN.COM.
  18. ^ "India airstrike in Pakistan: IAF crosses LoC first time since 1971 war". India Today. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  19. ^ Teh-Kuang Chang; Angelin Chang; Brent T. Gerchicoff (2017). Routledge Handbook of Asia in World Politics. Routledge. ISBN 1317404262.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response Archived 23 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine, New York Times. Feb 15, 2019. Quote:The militant who claimed responsibility for the attack, Aadil Ahmad Dar, was from a village about six miles from where the Indian convoy was struck, in contrast to the fighters and weapons that once streamed in from Pakistani-occupied areas to sustain the insurgency. And the explosives he packed into his car appear to have been locally procured, security experts said.
  21. ^ "Pulwama attack: India will 'completely isolate' Pakistan". BBC. 16 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Jaish terrorists attack CRPF convoy in Kashmir, kill at least 38 personnel". The Times of India. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Pulwama Attack 2019, everything about J&K terror attack on CRPF by terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, Jaish-eMohammad Archived 18 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine, India Today, 16 February 2019.
  24. ^ "On Kashmir attack, Shah Mahmood Qureshi says 'violence is not the govt's policy'". DAWN.COM. 16 February 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Tensions Between India and Pakistan Are at Their Highest Point in Decades. Here's What to Know, TIME.
  26. ^ CNN, Analysis by Nikhil Kumar. "Why being seen as tough on Pakistan helps India's Modi". CNN. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ a b "Pakistan warns India against attacking". 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019 – via www.bbc.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Dawn.com (19 February 2019). "Pakistan will address actionable evidence if shared by Delhi, PM Khan tells India after Pulwama attack". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "United States Defence Department document leaked by Wikileaks which talk about Balakot" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "350 terrorists killed while sleeping: Sources". Deccan Herald. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  31. ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Ramzy, Austin (25 February 2019). "Indian Jets Strike in Pakistan in Revenge for Kashmir Attack". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  32. ^ As it happened: Tension mounts after Indian fighter jets cross Kashmir frontier, bomb camps, Gulf News
  33. ^ Farmer, Ben; Bedi, Rahul (26 February 2019). "Indian planes bomb Pakistan as Kashmir tensions escalate". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Twitter mocks Pakistan defence after IAF bombs terror launch pads in Balakot, Chakothi & Muzaffarabad". web.archive.org. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  35. ^ Singh, Sushant (27 February 2019). "Wheel comes full circle: Balakot camp was run by IC-814 hijacker". The Indian Express.
  36. ^ "Jaish Camp Hit In 90-Second Op, Jets Returned Without A Scratch: Sources". NDTV.com. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  37. ^ PTI. "350 terrorists killed in LoC air strike, claims India". Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  38. ^ "IAF air strikes across LoC: IAF jets blow up Jaish-e-Mohammed's main terror camp in 'non-military strike': Govt". Hindustan Times. 26 February 2019.
  39. ^ Dawn.com (26 February 2019). "ISPR DG debunks India's claims on LoC violation". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  40. ^ Ghafoor, Maj Gen Asif (25 February 2019). "Indian aircrafts [sic] intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage". @OfficialDGISPR. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ Dawn.com (26 February 2019). "Indian aircraft violate LoC, scramble back after PAF's timely response: ISPR". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  42. ^ "Pakistan vows response over India 'strikes'". 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  43. ^ "Pakistani villagers shaken awake as Indian warplanes drop bombs..." Reuters. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  44. ^ ANI (25 February 2019). "Indian Air Force has put on high alert all air defence systems along the international border and LoC to respond to any possible action by Pakistan Air Force.pic.twitter.com/9GER7eqGPf". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  45. ^ ANI (25 February 2019). "Radio Pakistan: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan. The meeting will discuss the security situation. (File pic)pic.twitter.com/G2pPKna28u". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  46. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi: Pakistan will take international media to the area of strikes, helicopters are being readied, right now weather is bad, will fly when weather permits. (file pic)pic.twitter.com/hkvl1Z40gh". @ANI. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Intel Sources: Picture of JeM facility destroyed by Indian Ar Force strikes in Balakot, Pakistanpic.twitter.com/th1JWbVrHw". @ANI. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Intel Sources: Ammunition dump blown up today in Balakot,Pakistan by IAF Mirages. The dump had more than 200 AK rifles, uncountable rounds hand grenades, explosives and detonatorspic.twitter.com/b7ENbKgYaH". @ANI. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Intel Sources: Flags of USA, UK and Israel painted on staircases seen in Jaish e Mohammed facility destroyed by Indian Air Force jets in Balakotpic.twitter.com/266CEI0hGR". @ANI. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  50. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Chinese diplomat was also briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on the Indian Air Force strike in Balakot". @ANI. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ "Full statement of Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on air strikes on JeM's largest training camp in Balakot". Mumbai Mirror. 26 February 2019.
  52. ^ "Indian defense ministry says no information about air violations..." Reuters. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ PTI (25 February 2019). "Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Policy Statement after the violation of LOC by Indian Air ForceIpic.twitter.com/tduq8rpXd8". @PTIofficial. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  54. ^ Dawn.com (26 February 2019). "PM Khan summons 'important meeting' in wake of India's LoC violation". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  55. ^ ANI (26 February 2019). "Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) after a meeting chaired by Pakistan PM Imran Khan today: India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.pic.twitter.com/7IfgrEXFN8". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  56. ^ PTI (26 February 2019). "This action has been done for domestic consumption being in election environment,putting regional peace and stability at grave risk.The claimed area of strike is open for the world to see the facts on ground.For this domestic&international media is being taken to the impact site". @PTIofficial. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ "Australia Asks India, Pak To 'Exercise Restraint', Engage In Dialogue". Outlook. 26 February 2019.
  58. ^ "China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after air strike". The Economic Times. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  59. ^ Achom, Debanish, ed. (26 February 2019). "Recognise India's Legitimacy To Ensure Security Against Terror: France". NDTV.
  60. ^ APP, Dawn com (26 February 2019). "OIC condemns Indian incursion against Pakistan, urges both sides to exercise restraint". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  61. ^ "India-Pakistan tension: Pompeo speaks to Sushma Swaraj". The Economic Times. Indo-Asian News Service. 27 February 2019.
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