2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
2019 India–Pakistan skirmishes | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Indo−Pakistani conflicts and the Kashmir conflict | ||||||||
![]() Map of Kashmir, showing the territory controlled by India and Pakistan in blue and green, respectively | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Belligerents | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | ||||||||
Before onset of hostilities:
|
The 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes were a series of armed clashes consisting of cross-border airstrikes and exchanges of gunfire between India and Pakistan across the de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region, which is subject to extensive territorial claims by both countries.[12]
The heightened tensions stemmed from the 14 February 2019 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed.[13] India blamed Pakistan for the attack and promised a robust response, while the latter condemned the attack and denied having any connection to it.[14][15]
Twelve days later, in the early morning of 26 February 2019, India carried out a cross-border airstrike near Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.[16][17]
Pakistan's military, the first to announce the airstrike that same morning,[18] claimed that Indian warplanes had crossed the international border and dropped their payload in an uninhabited wooded hilltop area near Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[19] India, confirming the airstrike later that day, characterized it to be a preemptive strike directed against a terrorist training camp, and claimed that it had caused the deaths of a "large number" of terrorists.[20][21]
The second airstrike, a retaliatory one by Pakistan,[22] was conducted in the daytime on 27 February, inside Indian-administered Kashmir. A dogfight between Indian and Pakistani fighter jets during this airstrike resulted in the downing of an Indian MiG-21 Bison by the Pakistan Air Force, following which its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was taken prisoner by the Pakistani military before being returned to India on 1 March.[23][24][25]
On the same hours of PAF retaliatory strikes on 27 February 2019, an Indian Mi-17 helicopter was brought down by friendly fire in which all IAF airmen on board were killed, including Squadron Leaders Siddharth Vashisht and Ninad Mandavgan.[26] IAF Chief RKS Bahaduria acknowledged IAF's failure only a year latter on 4 October 2019, terming friendly fire as "a big mistake".[27][26] Resultantly Group Captain Suman Roy Choudhry Chief Operations Officers (COO) of Srinagar Air Force Station was dismissed from his service in 2023.[28]
Aftermath analysis of open-source satellite imagery by the American Atlantic Council's Digital Forensics Laboratory,[29] San Francisco-based Planet Labs,[30] European Space Imaging[31] and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute[32] concluded that India did not hit any targets of significance on the Jaba hilltop site near Balakot in Pakistan.[33][34]
On 10 April 2019, one and a half months later, a group of international journalists, who were taken to the Jaba hilltop in a tightly controlled trip arranged by the Pakistani government, although unable to make a knowledgeable evaluation,[35][36] found the largest building there to show no evidence of damage or recent rebuilding efforts.[37][38][39][36]
The US count of PAF's F-16 fleet confirmed PAF lost no aircraft during its dogfight with IAF.[40][41] The claim of IAF of shooting down a F-16 was also rejected by various international observers.[42]
Background
India and Pakistan have long been at odds with each other, having engaged in several wars, conflicts, and military standoffs. The roots of the continued tension are complex, but have centred mainly around the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. After the 1947 Partition of India, the newly formed independent states of Pakistan and India squabbled over it, which led to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948 and a subsequent sharing of the state. The settlement was non-agreeable to both the parties and since then, this had become an ongoing intractable issue leading to a war in 1965. The nations also partook in another war in 1971 which led to the formation of Bangladesh. Both countries developed nuclear weapons in the 1990s and this had a sobering effect on the next major conflict – the 1999 Kargil War.[43]
As of now, the Line of Control demarcates the areas of administration: Pakistan administers the territory to the northwest of the line; India administers the territory to the southeast.[44] Since 1989, a militant-fueled insurgency has raged in Indian-administered Kashmir, driven by a desire for either independence or union with Pakistan.[45][46] The United Nations has stated Pakistan was providing material support to the militants[47] and stated India was committing human rights violations.[48]
The standoff occurred ahead of the 2019 Indian general election.[49][50] After the Pulwama attack, Pakistan's PM attributed Indian government's desire to retaliate against Pakistan to the upcoming election.[51][52] The Indian government rejected the allegation.[51] Many analysts have stated that a military response to Pakistan would improve the electoral prospects of India's ruling party.[53][54][50][55]
Military events
Pulwama attack
The 2019 India–Pakistan military standoff was a result of[56] a militant attack in February 2019, when a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy 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. Over 40 CRPF personnel and the perpetrator were killed in the attack, which Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility for. The attacker was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a militant from Jammu and Kashmir, and a member of Jaish-e-Mohammed.[57] This was the deadliest attack on Indian forces in Kashmir since 1989.[58]
Balakot airstrike
On 26 February 2019, the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes at Balakot in Pakistan. The strikes were subsequently stated to be "non-military" and "preemptive" in nature; targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility within Pakistan. The Indian government stated that the airstrike was in retaliation to the Pulwama attack and that "a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis" were eliminated who were preparing for launching another suicide attack targeting Indian assets.[59]
Indian media reported to have confirmed from official sources that twelve Mirage 2000 jets were involved in the operation and that they struck multiple militant camps in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen,[60] killing about 350 militants. The exact figures varied across media-houses.[61]
Pakistani officials acknowledged the intrusion of Indian aircraft into the country's airspace but rejected the statements about the results. They stated that the Indian jets were intercepted and that the payloads were dropped in unpopulated areas and resulted in no casualties or infrastructural damage.[62] Pervez Khattak, the Pakistani Defence Minister, stated that the Pakistani Air Force did not retaliate at that time because "they could not gauge the extent of the damage".[63]
Business Today India stated that the area around Balakot had been cordoned off by the Pakistan Army and evidences such as the dead bodies were being cleared from the area.[64] Praveen Swami writing for Firstpost said that Indian intelligence estimated a figure of about 20 casualties and that there were five confirmed kills per burial records.[65] He also said there was a JeM rally in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on 28 February, wherein Masood Azhar's brother, Abdul Rauf Rasheed Alvi mentioned India's attack of their headquarters and vowed revenge.[65] In another piece he stated that RAW analysts estimated 90 casualties including three Pakistani Army trainers, based on intercepted communications.[66] Swami also said there was a lack of witness testimony to independently assess the validity of above statements.[66]
This airstrike was the first time since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that aerial attacks had been carried out across the Line of Control.[66]
Villagers from the area said that four bombs struck a nearby forest and a field resulting in damage to a building and injuring a local man around 3:00 am.[67][68][69] On 28 February 2019, Pakistani Reuters reporters Asif Shahzad, Abu Arqam Naqash reported that the structure and its vicinity (of the bomb site) to be intact from the rear,[68] however on 8 March 2019, the Reuters media team was prevented for third time from climbing hill to the closely guarded madrasa site in Balakot.[70]
Some diplomats and analysts have raised doubts about the efficacy of the strike, stating that the terrorist groups along the border would have vacated the area, after the Indian Prime Minister vowed to retaliate against the Pulwama attack.[71] The local people varied as to the purpose of the facility.[69] Whilst some stated it being an active Jaish training camp, others stated it to have been a mere school for the local kids and that such militant camps had used to exist far earlier.[68][69] Satellite-data analysis by Nathan Ruser, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said there was an absence of any apparent evidence to verify Indian statements.[61][72][73] Michael Sheldon, a digital forensics analyst at the Atlantic Council, did an independent investigation on the issue, in which he said that no damage was caused to any infrastructure around the target site. He concluded that "something appears to have gone wrong in the targeting process", which was mysterious in light of the autonomous nature of the missiles reportedly used.[74][75][24][76] However, Pakistan had to close the site for one and a half month or 43 days before opened to foreign delegates and media.[77][78][79]
The Indian officials stated that synthetic aperture radar showed that four buildings had been destroyed.[73] Vice-Marshal RGK Kapoor of the Indian Air Force said on 28 February 2019 that though it was "premature" to provide details about the casualties, they had "fairly credible evidence" of the damage inflicted on the camp by the air strikes.[68]
In April 2019, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj officially revealed that no Pakistani soldier or civilian was hurt in Balakot air raids.[80][81]
Border skirmishes
Heavy skirmishes between Pakistani and Indian forces occurred along the Line of Control on 26 February, with small arms and mortar fire being exchanged.[82] Pakistani officials reported that at least four civilians were killed, and eleven were wounded.[83][84] A 55-year-old woman and her two children were killed in the Nakyal sector. In the Khuiratta sector, a 40-year-old woman was killed.[83]
Throughout 27 February, heavy exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces continued along the Line of Control.[85] Ten Indian soldiers were injured along with two residential houses being destroyed in the skirmishes.[6] The Pakistani Army stated that on 1 March, two of its soldiers were killed by firing from the Indian Army at the Line of Control.[86] Shelling across the Line of Control reportedly killed a Kashmiri woman and her two sons after a shell landed on their home, with another civilian being critically wounded.[87] On 6 and 7 March, Pakistani and Indian forces exchanged heavy artillery fire along the line of control, with Pakistani forces using 130 mm and 105 mm artillery and 120 mm mortars.[88] In response to the Pakistani artillery fire, the Indian army began utilizing 155mm FH77B Bofors cannons against Pakistani positions.[88]
Retaliatory airstrikes, capture and release of pilot, and friendly fire
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Wing_Commander_Abhinandan_Varthaman_in_a_MiG-21_Trainer_aircraft%2C_at_Air_Force_Station_Pathankot%2C_Punjab_on_September_02%2C_2019_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Wing_Commander_Abhinandan_Varthaman_in_a_MiG-21_Trainer_aircraft%2C_at_Air_Force_Station_Pathankot%2C_Punjab_on_September_02%2C_2019_%28cropped%29.jpg)
On 27 February, Pakistani military officials announced that Pakistan had carried out an airstrike against multiple targets in Jammu and Kashmir. A military spokesman claimed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was able to lock onto Indian military installations, but opted to drop weapons into open areas instead, "to avoid human loss and collateral damage.[unbalanced opinion?][89] Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the airstrikes only aimed to "send a message" and appealed for negotiations to avoid a full-blown war.[90] The spokesman further said that the Pakistan Air Force had shot down two Indian aircraft after they encroached on Pakistan's airspace, one of which fell in Pakistan administered Kashmir while the other fell in Indian administered Kashmir.[91][92] It was also stated that Pakistan Army had captured two Indian pilots, one of whom was said to be injured and taken to the Combined Military Hospital.[93][94] But a subsequent statement revised the count down to one–Abhinandan Varthaman, a Wing Commander.[95] According to Indian media allegations, the other pilot the Pakistan Army claimed to have captured and taken to the Combined Military Hospital is claimed to be the downed F-16 pilot.[96][97][98] On the other hand, according to The National Bureau of Asian Research, such claims of an F-16 being shot down by India are said to be "debunked".[99] US count of PAF's F-16 fleet and Independent media reports confirmed that no F-16 was shot down during aerial dogfight between IAF and PAF.[100][41] The Indian claim of shooting down of a PAF F-16 was also rebutted by the prominent geo-political and military analyst Professor Christina Fair who stated while rejecting IAF claims "IAF narrative is not based on an empirical body of facts but dictated more by things deployed by politicians to win elections".[42]
India rejected this version of events and stated to have "successfully foiled" Pakistan's attempt to "target military installations".[101] An Indian Air Force (IAF) official statement hours after the airstrike stated that bombs had been dropped on Indian army formation compounds, but there was no damage to military installations.[102] The Indian military later stated that three Pakistan Air Force jets had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir and had dropped bombs over Nadian, Laam Jhangar, Kerri in Rajouri District and Hamirpur area of Bhimber Galli in Poonch, before being pushed back by six Indian airforce jets.[103][104] There were no damage or casualties.[105] Raveesh Kumar from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs also stated that a Pakistani aircraft of the sortie was shot down by the Indian Air Force in the process.[106][66] Indian defence sources initially contradicted Pakistan's statement of capturing a pilot[107][108] but subsequently the Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed[106] that an Indian pilot was missing in action after a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane was lost while engaging with Pakistani jets.[109]
The retaliatory air strikes coupled with the capture of the Indian pilot led to a heightened state of military alert. Tanks were deployed to the border in the Pakistani side whilst several Kashmiri residents reportedly fled their homes and painted their homes with red-cross signs to avert air-strikes.[110]
Pakistan released the captured pilot on 1 March, describing the move as a gesture of peace.[8][111][non-primary source needed][112] The Indian Air Force though stated that the pilot's release was an obligation under the Geneva Conventions.[113] The Indian media also criticized Pakistan's release of his photographs and interrogation videos to be against the protocols of the convention.[114][115] A video published by the state just prior to his release that showed him praising Pakistani Army and condemning Indian media was criticized for being heavily edited.[116][117]
Friendly fire against Indian Air Force Mi-17 Helicopter
In the same hours of PAF retaliatory airstrikes in Jammu and Kashmir on 27 February 2019, IAF mistakenly shot down its own MI-17 helicopter, mistaking it an enemy aircraft.[26] Resultantly, six (6) IAF personnel who were serving as a crew of IAF MI-17 lost their lives including MI-17 pilots, namely, Squadron Leaders Siddharth Vashisht and Ninad Mandavgan.[118] IAF Chief RKS Bahaduria admitted IAF's negligence only a year latter in 2019, terming it "a big mistake".[27] IAF convened an enquiry commission in which Group Captain Suman Roy Choudhry Chief Operations Officers (COO) of Srinagar Air Force Station during PAF airstrikes, was dismissed from his service in 2023.[28]
Failed Indian naval intrusion
On 5 March, the Pakistani Navy claimed to have successfully warded off an intrusion attempt by an Indian submarine into its territorial waters and released a video of a surfaced submarine.[119][120][121] The Indian Navy subsequently rejected these statements as "false propaganda."[122]
Other incidents
Closure of Pakistani airspace
On 27 February, Pakistan cancelled all commercial flights and closed its airspace until the midnight of 28 February.[123][124] A NOTAM was issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to close the airspace.[125][non-primary source needed] Airlines were required to reroute or cancel their flights with routes planned over Pakistan.[126] On 1 March, the NOTAM closing the airspace was extended until 8:00 AM (UTC) on 4 March with 23 exceptions listed.[127] Pakistan's airspace was closed for flights crossing the country's airspace except for arriving and departing flights at major airports in Pakistan.[128] The airspace closure was again repeatedly extended,.[129][130][131][132] The Pakistan finally opened its airspace for all civilian aircraft on 15 July 2019, after 140 days.[133][134]
India did not close down its civilian air traffic and only the Srinagar airspace was closed for 2–3 hours on the day of the skirmish.[135] However the Pakistani flights were allowed usage of Indian airspace only after 15 July when Pakistan opened up its airspace.[136]
The airspace closure led to a loss of US$100 Million for Pakistan due to the skipping of its airspace by an average of 400 aircraft daily.[137] Air India suffered loss of ₹491 Crore till 2 July, as it had to reroute its flights that were affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace. Similarly private Indian airlines SpiceJet lost ₹ 30.73 crore, IndiGo lost ₹ 25.1 crore and GoAir lost ₹ 2.1 crore.[138]
Suspension of Samjhauta Express
On 28 February, Samjhauta Express, a train that runs twice weekly between India and Pakistan, was suspended by the government of Pakistan.[139] It was scheduled to depart from Lahore with 16 passengers, who were stranded there.[140] On 4 March, Pakistan, and consequently India, resumed the operations of Samjhauta Express.[141]
Pakistan arrests suspected militants
On 5 March, Pakistan arrested 44 members of various groups, including the Jaish-e-Muhammad. Some of those arrested had been named by India in a dossier it gave to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.[142] Pakistan said those arrested will be held for at least 14 days, and if India provided further evidence they would be prosecuted.[142] Among those arrested were relatives of JeM leader Masood Azhar, including his son Hamad Azhar and his brother Abdul Rauf.[142]
Peace offer
Both Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi agreed on a peace offer on 22 March 2019 ending hostilities and vowed to fight against terrorism together.[143][144]
Aftermath and analysis
Revocation of special status and August border clashes
On 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir[145]
On 15 August Pakistan and Indian forces exchanged fire over the disputed frontier in Kashmir, leaving 3 Pakistani soldiers dead and two civilians.[146]
On 21 August the Indian-administered Kasmir police informed about a gun battle that left a rebel and a police officer killed.[147] The deceased militant was a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba a terror organization.[147]
Artillery strike
The Statesman, an Indian newspaper, reported that 18 terrorists and 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed when Indian Army launched artillery strikes on terrorist camps in Neelum valley on 19 and 20 October.[148] Mohammad Faisal, however, said that five Pakistani civilians had died.
Legacy
In 2023, Mike Pompeo, who served as United States Secretary of State during the crisis, claimed that U.S. diplomacy prevented the dispute from sparking a nuclear war. According to Pompeo, he was informed by Sushma Swaraj in February 2019 that the Indian government believed Pakistan was preparing a nuclear attack, and that India was preparing an escalatory response. Pompeo claimed that he and then-national security advisor John Bolton spoke with then-Pakistani Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in "the tiny secure communications facility in our hotel" to deescalate the dispute. Neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs or Pakistani Foreign Office commented on Pompeo's claims.[149]
International reaction
A number of nations, including Australia,[150] Canada,[151] China,[152] Indonesia,[153] Malaysia,[154] Sri Lanka,[155] the United Arab Emirates,[156] and the United States,[157] expressed their concern, with some calling for restraint. Iran and Turkey have each offered to mediate the crisis.[158][159]
See also
References
- ^ "Indian aircraft violate Pakistan airspace 'to conduct surgical strike'". The Independent. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "India will 'completely isolate' Pakistan". BBC News. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Pulwama terror attack: Timeline of conflict between India and Pakistan". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b AFP (4 October 2019), "India admits friendly fire downed Mi-17 helicopter in Kashmir", The Defense Post, Washington, DC, retrieved 9 February 2021,
The Indian Air Force confirmed for the first time on Friday, October 4 that it shot down one of its own Mi-17 helicopters during clashes with Pakistan in February over Kashmir, killing all six on board.
- ^ Network, The Statesman/Asia News (27 February 2019). "Heavy shelling reported on India-Pakistan border; 5 soldiers injured". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b "J&K: Pakistan army uses tanks on LoC in Sialkot sector, situation tense, say sources". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b c "Deadly Pakistan-India Border Skirmishes Continue in Kashmir". VOA. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Abhinandan: Captured Indian pilot handed back by Pakistan". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Jet downing raises India-Pakistan tension". BBC News. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Kashmir: at least eight killed as India-Pakistan hostilities resume". The Guardian. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ "Six martyred in Indian shelling at LoC". The News International. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Joanna Slater; Niha Masih (15 February 2019), "Modi vows action after dozens die in deadliest attack in Indian-held Kashmir in 3 decades", The Washington Post, archived from the original on 17 February 2019, retrieved 4 April 2019 Quote: "Both India and Pakistan claim the Himalayan region of Kashmir, but it has been divided between them for more than 70 years."
- ^ Safi, Michael; Farooq, Azhar (15 February 2019). "Dozens of Indian paramilitaries killed in Kashmir car bombing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the bombing. It said it was carried out by Adil Ahmad Dar, a locally recruited fighter from south Kashmir's Pulwama district. The group released a video showing Dar delivering his will and a photograph of him surrounded by guns and grenades
- ^ Safi, Michael; Farooq, Azhar (15 February 2019). "Dozens of Indian paramilitaries killed in Kashmir car bombing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
We will give a befitting reply, our neighbour will not be allowed to de-stabilise us", Modi said
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Yasir, Sameer; Kumar, Hari (15 February 2019). "India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack, in which at least 40 Indian soldiers were killed Thursday when a driver slammed an explosives-packed vehicle into a paramilitary convoy.
- ^ Joanna Slater (26 February 2019), "India strikes Pakistan in severe escalation of tensions between nuclear rivals", The Washington Post
- ^ Safi, Michael; Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (27 February 2019). "'Get ready for our surprise': Pakistan warns India it will respond to airstrikes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
Pakistan, said the war planes made it up to five miles [eight kilometres] inside its territory
- ^ Safi, Michael; Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (27 February 2019). "'Get ready for our surprise': Pakistan warns India it will respond to airstrikes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
Pakistan, which was the first to announce the incursion
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Ramzy, Austin (26 February 2019). "Indian Jets Strike in Pakistan in Revenge for Kashmir Attack". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
A spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, on Tuesday posted on Twitter four images of a forested area pockmarked with small craters and debris, which he said was the site of Indian airstrikes.
- ^ "Statement by Foreign Secretary on 26 February 2019 on the Strike on JeM training camp at Balakot". mea.gov.in. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated
- ^ Slater, Joanna; Constable, Pamela (27 February 2019). "Pakistan captures Indian pilot after shooting down aircraft, escalating hostilities". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Kazmin, Amy (1 March 2019). "India and Pakistan engage in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
A day after India's strike, Pakistan retaliated, sending planes to attack military installations in India.
- ^ Joanna Slater; Pamela Constable (27 February 2019), "Pakistan captures Indian pilot after shooting down aircraft, escalating hostilities", The Washington Post
- ^ a b Gettleman, Jeffrey; Kumar, Hari; Yasir, Sameer (2 March 2019). "Deadly Shelling Erupts in Kashmir Between India and Pakistan After Pilot Is Freed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Joanna Slater; Pamela Constable (27 February 2019), "Pakistan captures Indian pilot after shooting down aircraft, escalating hostilities", The Washington Post, archived from the original on 15 March 2019, retrieved 30 March 2019 Quote: The two days of tit-for-tat airstrikes ... the first since 1971, were triggered by a 14 Feb terrorist bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 40 Indian security personnel."
- ^ a b c Peri, Dinakar (1 June 2019). "How did an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter get shot down by the IAF?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ a b Correspondent, Special (4 October 2019). "Shooting down of Mi-17 was a big mistake, admits IAF chief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
{{cite news}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Balakot shooting down of chopper: Why IAF panel recommended court martial of Group Captain". India Today. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ @DFRLab (28 February 2019), "Surgical Strike in Pakistan a Botched Operation? Indian jets carried out a strike against JEM targets inside Pakistani territory, to questionable effect", Medium, archived from the original on 4 March 2019, retrieved 5 March 2019 Quote: "Indian fighter jets carried out strikes against targets inside undisputed Pakistani territory, but open-source evidence suggested that the strike was unsuccessful."
- ^ Howell, Martin; Doyle, Gerry; Scarr, Simon (6 March 2019). "Satellite images show buildings still standing at Indian bombing site". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
The images produced by Planet Labs Inc, a San Francisco-based private satellite operator, show at least six buildings on the madrasa site on March 4, six days after the airstrike. There are no discernible holes in the roofs of buildings, no signs of scorching, blown-out walls, displaced trees around the madrasa or other signs of an aerial attack.
- ^ European Space Imaging (8 March 2019), PAKISTAN: Satellite Imagery confirms India missed target in Pakistan airstrike, archived from the original on 27 March 2019, retrieved 20 April 2019 Quote: " ... said Managing Director Adrian Zevenbergen. '... The image captured with Worldiew-2 of the buildings in question shows no evidence of a bombing having occurred. There are no signs of scorching, no large distinguishable holes in the roofs of buildings and no signs of stress to the surrounding vegetation.' "
- ^ Hellyer, Marcus; Ruser, Nathan; Bachhawat, Aakriti (27 March 2019). "India's strike on Balakot: a very precise miss?". The Strategist. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
But India's recent air strike on a purported Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp in Balakot in Pakistan on 26 February suggests that precision strike is still an art and science that requires both practice and enabling systems to achieve the intended effect. Simply buying precision munitions off the shelf is not enough.
- ^ Sameer Lalwani; Emily Tallo (17 April 2019), "Did India shoot down a Pakistani F-16 in February? This just became a big deal.", The Washington Post Quote: " Open-source satellite imagery suggests India did not hit any targets of consequence in the airstrikes it conducted after the terrorist attack on the paramilitaries.
- ^ Safi, Michael; Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (5 March 2019). "Kashmir's fog of war: how conflicting accounts benefit both sides". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
Analysis of open-source satellite imagery has also cast doubt on India's claims. A report by the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab was able to geolocate the site of the attack and provide a preliminary damage assessment. It compared satellite images from the days before and after India's strike and concluded there were only impacts in the wooded areas with no damage visible to surrounding structures.
- ^ Howell, Martin; Salahuddin (11 April 2019). "Inside the Pakistani madrasa where India said it killed hundreds of 'terrorists'". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b Heanue, Siobhan (13 April 2019). "School or terror training camp? The madrasa that brought the world closer to nuclear war". United States: ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
It was at the centre of a clash that almost brought two nuclear nations to war, but exactly what goes on inside a small madrasa on a hilltop near Kashmir remains a mystery. One thing is clear: India's claim that it destroyed a militant training camp and killed more than 300 extremists cannot be backed up by the evidence. More than a month after India launched airstrikes inside Pakistan in retaliation for a militant attack that killed 40 paramilitary troops in Kashmir, foreign media have been allowed to see the areas hit.
- ^ Howell, Martin; Salahuddin (11 April 2019). "Inside the Pakistani madrasa where India said it killed hundreds of 'terrorists'". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
Those visiting the site on Wednesday didn't see any signs that there had been significant building work to either clear structures or erect new ones. And the vegetation didn't appear to have suffered the stress that might be expected from a missile attack. The main madrasa building itself doesn't appear to be reinforced in any major way – it has a metal roof with some modest wooden beams.
- ^ "Balakot air strike: Pakistan shows off disputed site on eve of India election". BBC News. 10 April 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
They were given access to an Islamic school in Balakot, where Indian media say militants were killed in retaliation for an attack in Kashmir. The large building appeared to be fully intact
- ^ "Pakistan takes media, diplomats on visit to Indian strike site". France 24. 11 April 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
International outlets which visited the Indian air strike site in Pakistan found no evidence of a major terrorist training camp -- or of any infrastructure damage at all.
- ^ "The Strategic Implications of India's Illiberalism and Democratic Erosion". The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR). Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ a b Seligman, Lara (28 February 2024). "Did India Shoot Down a Pakistani Jet? U.S. Count Says No". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ a b "IAF Did Not Shoot Down Pak F-16 in Balakot Aftermath, Says US Scholar Christine Fair". The Wire. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "A brief history of the Kashmir conflict". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 September 2001. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ Engle, Jeremy (6 March 2019). "Learning With: 'Why Do India and Pakistan Keep Fighting Over Kashmir?'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Why India and Pakistan dispute Kashmir". BBC. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ "The Future of Kashmir?". BBC. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Joanna Slater; Niha Masih (15 February 2019), "Modi vows action after dozens die in deadliest attack in Indian-held Kashmir in 3 decades", The Washington Post, archived from the original on 17 February 2019, retrieved 4 April 2019 Quote: "India and the United States accuse Pakistan of supporting and sheltering militants who launch attacks into Indian-held territory, something Pakistan denies."
- ^ Zutshi, Chitralekha (5 March 2019). "Why the Kashmir conflict is not just an India-Pakistan border dispute". PBS NewsHour. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Perrigo, Billy (26 February 2019). "What to Know About Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan". Time. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b Kumar, Nikhil (27 February 2019). "Why being seen as tough on Pakistan helps India's Modi". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Pakistan warns India against attacking". BBC News. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan will address actionable evidence if shared by Delhi, PM Khan tells India after Pulwama attack". Dawn. Pakistan. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Gramer, Robbie; Seligman, Lara (27 February 2019). "Amid Re-Election Campaign, Modi Takes the Fight to Pakistan". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Biswas, Soutik (6 March 2019). "'War' and India PM Modi's muscular strongman image". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Das, Krishna N.; Ghoshal, Devjyot (26 February 2019). "Air strike on Pakistan sparks celebrations in India, seen boosting Modi support". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Viewpoint: India strikes in Pakistan a major escalation". BBC News. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Pulwama Attack 2019, everything about J&K terror attack on CRPF by terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, Jaish-e-Mohammad". India Today. 16 February 2019. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Deadliest Kashmir militant attack on troops". BBC. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ "IAF struck 'JeM's biggest training camp' at Balakot, says Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on India's operation in Pakistan". Firstpost. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ "Surgical strike on Pakistan: Exact target of IAF operation identified as Jaba Top; air force carried out several hits around site". Firstpost. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b Chacko, Johann (1 March 2019). "Both India and Pakistan may be lying, and that may breed worse disasters". Quartz India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ "Indian strikes target militants in Pakistan". BBC News. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Anderson, Claire (27 February 2019). "Pakistan defence minister mocked after saying it was 'Too Dark' for airstrike retaliation". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan trying to hide dead bodies of terrorists in Balakot, debunks India's claims: Source". Business Today. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ a b Swami, Praveen (1 March 2019). "Property records nail Pakistani lie on Jaish-e-Mohammed HQ in Bahawalpur, finds Firstpost investigation". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d "India Pakistan: Kashmir fighting sees Indian aircraft downed". BBC News. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "No blood. No bodies. No debris. No tragedy". The Express Tribune. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b c d Shahzad, Asif; Naqash, Abu Arqam (1 March 2019). "Pakistani village asks: Where are bodies of militants India says it bombed?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Hashim, Asad (28 February 2019). "At raid site, no casualties and a mysterious school". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Reuters team prevented for third time from climbing hill to madrasa site in Balakot". The Hindu. 8 March 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Ramzy, Austin (26 February 2019). "Indian Jets Strike in Pakistan in Revenge for Kashmir Attack". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Ruser, Nathan (1 March 2019). "Did Balakot Airstrikes Hit Their Target? Satellite Imagery Raises Doubts". The Wire. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Eyewitnesses say Indian air strike on Balakot killed terrorists, former ISI agents". cnbctv18.com. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ Safi, Michael; Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (5 March 2019). "Kashmir's fog of war: how conflicting accounts benefit both sides". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Surgical Strike in Pakistan a Botched Operation?". DFRLab. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ Slater, Joanna (1 March 2019). "In crisis with Pakistan, India's Modi keeps eye on elections". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (29 March 2019). "A month after Indian air strike, Pakistan takes journalists to Balakot site". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Foreign journalists given access to madressah near site of Balakot strike". Dawn. Pakistan. 10 April 2019.
- ^ "43 Days After Balakot Air Strike by IAF, Pakistan Takes Media Team And Diplomats to 'Site'". News18. 10 April 2019.
- ^ PTI (18 April 2019). "No Pak. soldier or civilian died in Balakot: Sushma Swaraj". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "No Pakistan soldier or citizen died in Balakot air strike, says Sushma Swaraj". CNBCTV18. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Heavy firing by Pakistan along LoC, Army strongly retaliates". Hindustan Times. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ a b Naqash, Tariq (27 February 2019). "4 AJK civilians dead, 11 wounded in 'indiscriminate' Indian shelling across LoC". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Naqash, Abu Arqam; Miglani, Sanjeev (26 February 2019). "India launches air strike in Pakistan; Islamabad denies militant camp hit". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "India-Pakistan reportedly exchange heavy fire on Line of Control – USD/INR may extend gains". FXStreet. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Mughal, Roshan; Hussain, Aijaz (2 March 2019). "8 killed in India-Pakistan fighting after return of downed Indian fighter pilot". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ "India, Pakistan resume shelling along volatile Kashmir border". France 24. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ a b Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (7 March 2019). "Army uses Bofors guns to respond to border shelling by Pakistan". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Pakistan had no choice but to respond, says DG ISPR". The Nation. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Safi, Michael; Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (28 February 2019). "India demands safe return of pilot shot down by Pakistan over Kashmir". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Hashim, Asad (27 February 2019). "Pakistan shoots down two Indian fighter jets: Military". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "2 Indian aircraft violating Pakistani airspace shot down; pilot arrested". Dawn. Pakistan. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ Regan, Helen; Kumar, Nikhil; Raja, Adeel; Gupta, Swati (28 February 2019). "Pakistan says it shot down two Indian jets as Kashmir border crisis deepens". CNN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "2 Indian aircraft violating Pakistani airspace shot down; 2 pilots arrested". Dawn. Pakistan. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan claims IAF's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in its custody, releases video". India Today. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Joshi, Sameer (7 April 2019). "In PAF lies & subterfuge, an F-16 tail number & a PAF pilot -both hidden to serve a myth". The Print. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "With radar images, IAF proves F-16 was shot down, exposes Pakistan". Business Standard India. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Sharan, Sunil (1 May 2019). "The mystery of the missing F-16". The Times of India Blog. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Daniel S. Markey (27 January 2022). The Strategic Implications of India’s Illiberalism and Democratic Erosion. pg. 100-101. The National Bureau of Asian Research. Article in Asia Policy 17.1. Free Article Access Link. Archived Version of Free Access Link. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "US Count Found No Pak F-16s Missing, Contradicts India's Claim: Report". NDTV.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Pandit, Rajat; Parashar, Sachin (28 February 2019). "Tension in the air: IAF, PAF lose a jet each; pilot in Pakistan custody". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "We are on heightened state of readiness: Defence forces". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan jets violate Indian airspace in Kashmir's Nowshera, drop bombs". The Week. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Indian pilot 'missing in action'; IAF shoots down Pakistan's jet: What we know so far". The Times of India. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Pakistani jets cross LoC, Indian Air Force takes down one F-16". India Today. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Statement by Official Spokesperson on 27 February 2019". mea.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Khan, Muhammad Ilyas (28 February 2019). "Abhinandan: Villagers recount dramatic capture of pilot". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "India Denies Any of Its Jets Shot Down by Pakistan". Outlook India. 27 February 2019.
- ^ Kirti, Sumedha, ed. (27 February 2019). "India-Pak Tensions LIVE: IAF Wing Commander Missing After MiG-21 Crash, Pakistan Claims He is in Their Custody, Says Govt". News18. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Kumar, Hari (27 February 2019). "Pakistani Military Says It Downed Two Indian Warplanes, Capturing Pilot". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan will release Indian Pilot Abhinandan tomorrow as a gesture of peace: Prime Minister Imran Khanpic.twitter.com/6aUN4S9JVb". @pid_gov. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan 'to free Indian pilot on Friday'". BBC. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "No goodwill gesture to return pilot Abhinandan, was expected under Geneva Conventions, says IAF". India Today. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Roy, Debayan (1 March 2019). "Did Geneva Conventions Make Pakistan Release IAF Pilot or Was it A Peace Gesture? News18 Explains". News18. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ "Captured IAF pilot handed over to Delhi as 'peace gesture'". Dawn. Pakistan. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Safi, Michael (1 March 2019). "Pakistan returns Indian pilot shot down over Kashmir in 'peace gesture'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan hands back captured Indian pilot". BBC. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (25 January 2020). "Pilots of IAF chopper shot down in friendly fire in Budgam awarded gallantry medals". ThePrint. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan Navy claims it thwarted Indian submarine from entering its waters". Hindustan Times. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan claims it chased away Indian Navy submarine, releases video". India Today. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ Siddiqui, Naveed (5 March 2019). "Pakistan Navy foils attempt by Indian submarine to enter Pakistani waters". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan's claims on Indian submarine false propaganda: Navy". The Times of India. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Thousands stranded in Thailand, a day after Pakistan closes airspace". Dawn. Pakistan. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ Qazi Hassan, Sirajuddin (27 February 2019). "Pakistani airspace to remain closed till Thursday midnight". DAWN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ Pakistan, C. A. A. (27 February 2019). "Civil Aviation Authority of #Pakistan has officially closed its airspace until further notice & issued NOTAM. pic.twitter.com/qGZBMiKxvG". @AirportPakistan. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ "India-Pakistan tensions force airlines to cancel and reroute flights | DW | 28 February 2019". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/Notams/A210-19.txt[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS)". caapakistan.com.pk.
- ^ "Pakistan closes its airspace till March 11". Daily Times. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ Haidar, Suhasini; Chandra, Jagriti (2 April 2019). "Pakistan airspace closure hits Afghan, Kazakh, Russian airlines". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ Chandra, Jagriti (29 May 2019). "Pakistan extends ban on use of its airspace for flights till June 15". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan airspace closure costs over ₹548 crore to Indian airlines". Livemint. 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan reopens airspace for all civilian traffic; Indian flights to operate soon". The Hindu. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Normal air traffic resumes as India follows Pakistan, lifts ban on airspace". India Today.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (24 June 2019). "Did not let tensions with Pakistan dictate our civil aviation: Air Chief". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Normal air traffic resumes as India follows Pakistan, lifts ban on airspace". India Today. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan lost millions in airspace closure post Balakot strike: Here's how countries earn from thin air". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan reopens airspace for civillian [sic] traffic 140 days after Balakot airstrike". India Today. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "LIVE: Pakistan suspends cross-border Samjhauta Express". Moneycontrol.com. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Amid tensions with India, Pakistan suspends Samjhauta Express". India Today. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Samjhauta Express train resumes operation today". The Nation. 4 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Hashim, Asad (5 March 2019). "Pakistan arrests scores in fresh crackdown on armed groups". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Gul, Ayaz (22 March 2019). "Pakistani PM Receives National Day Greetings from Indian Counterpart". VOA. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan welcomes India's peace offer | Pakistan Today". Pakistan Today.
- ^ Akhtar, Rais; Kirk, William, "Jammu and Kashmir, State, India", Encyclopædia Britannica, retrieved 7 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir, state of India, located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the vicinity of the Karakoram and westernmost Himalayan mountain ranges. The state is part of the larger region of Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947."
- ^ Farmer, Ben (15 August 2019). "Five killed as Pakistan and India trade fire amid Kashmir tension". The Telegraph.
- ^ a b "Two killed in first Kashmir gun battle since lockdown began". Al Jazeera.
- ^ "18 terrorists killed, JeM launch pads destroyed in artillery strikes by Army in PoK: Reports". The Statesman. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "India, Pakistan came close to a nuclear war, claims former U.S. Secretary of State in new book". The Hindu. 24 January 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Australia Asks India, Pak To 'Exercise Restraint', Engage in Dialogue". Outlook. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Canada calls for de-escalation between India and Pakistan". Government of Canada. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ "China goes soft on Pakistan, says it has always opposed terrorism". India Today. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019.
- ^ Khaliq, Riyaz ul (28 February 2019). "Indonesia calls on India, Pakistan to reduce tensions". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Malaysia expresses concern over India-Pakistan tensions". The Edge Markets. Bernama. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Ensure stability of entire region: SL tells India, Pakistan". Daily Mirror. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Calls PM Modi, Imran Khan Amid Rising Tensions". NDTV. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019.
- ^ "Concern Regarding India-Pakistan Tensions". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Iran offers mediation between Pakistan and India amid rising tensions". Samaa TV. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Turkey offers mediation between Pakistan, India as tensions escalate". The Express Tribune. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- Indian–Pakistani border conflicts
- Military operations of the Kashmir conflict
- 2010s in Jammu and Kashmir
- 21st century in Azad Kashmir
- Attacks in India in 2019
- Attacks in Pakistan in 2019
- February 2019 events in India
- March 2019 events in India
- February 2019 events in Pakistan
- March 2019 events in Pakistan
- Naval history of the Indo-Pakistani wars
- Operations involving the Indian Air Force
- Mansehra District
- 2019 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Friendly fire incidents