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== Background == == Background ==
{{Further|Kashmir conflict|Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|2019 Pulwama attack}} {{Further|Kashmir conflict|Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|2019 Pulwama attack}}
On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the ] was attacked by a vehicle-borne ] at ] in the ], ], India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 46 ] (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The perpetrator of the attack was from Indian-administered Kashmir, and his explosives were locally procured.<ref>, '']''. 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.</ref> The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the ]-based ] militant group ] (JeM).<ref name="BBC isolate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47249133|title=Pulwama attack: India will 'completely isolate' Pakistan|date=16 February 2019|website=BBC|language=en|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="TOI attack">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-crpf-jawans-martyred-in-ied-blast-in-jks-pulwama/articleshow/67992189.cms|title=Jaish terrorists attack CRPF convoy in Kashmir, kill at least 38 personnel|last=|first=|date=15 February 2019|newspaper=]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="IT everything">, India Today, 16 February 2019.</ref> Pakistan condemned the attack, and denied any connection to it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1464205|title=On Kashmir attack, Shah Mahmood Qureshi says 'violence is not the govt's policy'|date=16 February 2019|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref> On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the ] was attacked by a vehicle-borne ] at ] in the ], ], India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 46 ] (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The perpetrator of the attack was from Indian-administered Kashmir.<ref>, '']''. 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.</ref> The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the ]-based ] militant group ] (JeM).<ref name="BBC isolate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47249133|title=Pulwama attack: India will 'completely isolate' Pakistan|date=16 February 2019|website=BBC|language=en|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="TOI attack">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-crpf-jawans-martyred-in-ied-blast-in-jks-pulwama/articleshow/67992189.cms|title=Jaish terrorists attack CRPF convoy in Kashmir, kill at least 38 personnel|last=|first=|date=15 February 2019|newspaper=]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="IT everything">, India Today, 16 February 2019.</ref> Pakistan condemned the attack, and denied any connection to it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1464205|title=On Kashmir attack, Shah Mahmood Qureshi says 'violence is not the govt's policy'|date=16 February 2019|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>


The airstrike occurred ahead of the ].<ref>, '']''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/26/india/india-pakistan-kashmir-analysis-intl/index.html|title=Why being seen as tough on Pakistan helps India's Modi|first=Analysis by Nikhil Kumar|last=CNN|website=CNN|accessdate=26 February 2019}}</ref> On February 19, Pakistan's PM attributed Indian government's desire to attack Pakistan to the upcoming election.<ref name=bbc/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1464783|title=Pakistan will address actionable evidence if shared by Delhi, PM Khan tells India after Pulwama attack|first=|last=Dawn.com|date=19 February 2019|website=DAWN.COM|accessdate=26 February 2019}}</ref> The Indian government rejected the allegation.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47290107|title=Pakistan warns India against attacking|date=19 February 2019|publisher=|accessdate=26 February 2019|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> The airstrike occurred ahead of the ].<ref>, '']''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/26/india/india-pakistan-kashmir-analysis-intl/index.html|title=Why being seen as tough on Pakistan helps India's Modi|first=Analysis by Nikhil Kumar|last=CNN|website=CNN|accessdate=26 February 2019}}</ref> On February 19, Pakistan's PM attributed Indian government's desire to attack Pakistan to the upcoming election.<ref name=bbc/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1464783|title=Pakistan will address actionable evidence if shared by Delhi, PM Khan tells India after Pulwama attack|first=|last=Dawn.com|date=19 February 2019|website=DAWN.COM|accessdate=26 February 2019}}</ref> The Indian government rejected the allegation.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47290107|title=Pakistan warns India against attacking|date=19 February 2019|publisher=|accessdate=26 February 2019|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

Revision as of 03:37, 27 February 2019

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2019 Balakot airstrike
Part of Indo-Pakistani conflicts
and Kashmir conflict
Date26 February 2019 (2019-02-26)
LocationBalakot, Pakistan34°27′48″N 73°19′08″E / 34.46333°N 73.31889°E / 34.46333; 73.31889
Belligerents

 India

JeM

 Pakistan

Commanders and leaders
Unknown
Units involved
Unknown
Strength
12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets Unknown
Casualties and losses
None

Indian claim: 350 militants killed

Pakistani claim: None killed		 None
2019 Balakot airstrike is located in Kashmir2019 Balakot airstrikeclass=notpageimage| Location of the airstrike in Balakot, PakistanShow map of Kashmir2019 Balakot airstrike is located in Pakistan2019 Balakot airstrike2019 Balakot airstrike (Pakistan)Show map of Pakistan
Indo-Pakistani conflicts
Kashmir conflict

Other conflicts

Border skirmishes

Strikes

On 26 February 2019, 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.

According to India, the jets struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed-operated militant camp at Balakot, killing around 350 militants. 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. Subsequent to the incident, Indian and Pakistani troops shelled each other across the LOC; Pakistan reported four civilians killed and eleven wounded by Indian shelling.

The attack was the first time since Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that Indian Air Force crossed and attacked Pakistan beyond the line of control, as well as the first time since both states have acquired nuclear weapons.

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 (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The perpetrator of the attack was from Indian-administered Kashmir. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Pakistan condemned the attack, and denied any connection to it.

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

After the attack, JeM moved many recruits, along with their trainers and other hardcore militants, out of Azad Kashmir and to Balakot Tehsil, on the border between Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 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." Indian intelligence claimed that the camp was located in a hilltop forest, 20 km (12 mi) from Balakot. It was a resort-style facility, with space and room for 500–700 militants, including a swimming pool, cooks and cleaners.

Incident

On 26 February 2019, twelve Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crossed the Line of Control and bombed an alleged JeM-operated terrorist camp at Balakot. The Indian foreign secretary termed the airstrike as "non-military, preemptive airstrikes". This was India's first airstrike against Pakistan since the War of 1971. Some Indian news channels also reported two more airstrikes by India on terrorist launch pads in Chakothi and Muzaffarabad.

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.

Indian media reported that the camp was levelled, and about 350 JeM militants were killed. Pakistan reported Indian aircraft violated their airspace near Muzaffarabad and "released a payload" near Balakot. They claimed that there was open space where the aircraft dropped the bombs, and provided images of destroyed forest to corroborate their account. Pakistan scrambled their own jets, but stated no casualties or damage had been inflicted.

Claims

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. Earlier, the spokesperson of the Indian Defense Ministry said that he had no information about Pakistani allegations of airspace violations.

Pakistan

The efficacy of this attack has been contested by Pakistan. According to official sources, the quick scrambling of Pakistani Air Force (PAF) jets resulted in the Indian aircraft retreating across the Line of Control, in the process releasing their payloads. According to these sources, this included a fuel dump in free fall in an open area resulting in no casualties or damage.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, foreign minister of Pakistan, said that Pakistan reserved the right to retaliate. The prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, convened an emergency meeting to review the situation. 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.

In a press briefing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman, Major General Asif Ghafoor stated that three IAF air 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 before being intercepted by PAF jets within three minutes of the incursion.

Aftermath

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. India tested quick reaction surface-to-air missiles off the coast of Odisha; two missiles were tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of a missile being developed for the Army.

Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan to discuss the security situation.. 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.

On the same day, a Pakistani drone was reported to have been shot down near the India-Pakistan international border and its debris was found in Nanghatad, a village in Abdasa Taluka in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

Heavy skirmishes between Pakistani and Indian forces occurred along the Line of Control, with small arms and mortar fire being exchanged. Pakistan officials reported that at least four civilians killed, and eleven wounded. A 55-year old woman and her two children (aged 20 and 8 years old) were killed in the Nakyal sector. In the Khuiratta sector, a 40-year old woman was killed.

ANI claimed to have released photos of the alleged JeM camp and weapons cache sourced from intelligence sources.

Foreign diplomats from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, China and six ASEAN nations were briefed by Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale on the strike conducted.

Reactions

  • China: 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".
  • Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: The OIC condemned the airstrike and called on both India and Pakistan to show restraint.

See also

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. ^ PTI. "350 terrorists killed in LoC air strike, claims India". Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  4. "5-star Balakot Camp Was Sitting Duck Target for IAF, 350 Terrorists Killed While Sleeping: Sources". Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  5. ^ "India Hits Main Jaish Camp In Balakot, "Non-Military" Strike: Government". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  6. "Indian jets bomb targets within Pakistan". News.com.au. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  7. "Indian aircraft violate LoC, scramble back after PAF's timely response: ISPR". Dawn. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  8. ^ "India says carried out air strike on 'terror camps' inside Pakistan". Reuters. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  9. ^ 4 AJK civilians dead, 11 wounded in 'indiscriminate' Indian shelling across LoC
  10. "India airstrike in Pakistan: IAF crosses LoC first time since 1971 war". India Today. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  11. India Blames Pakistan for Attack in Kashmir, Promising a Response, 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.
  12. "Pulwama attack: India will 'completely isolate' Pakistan". BBC. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  13. "Jaish terrorists attack CRPF convoy in Kashmir, kill at least 38 personnel". The Times of India. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  14. Pulwama Attack 2019, everything about J&K terror attack on CRPF by terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar, Jaish-eMohammad, India Today, 16 February 2019.
  15. "On Kashmir attack, Shah Mahmood Qureshi says 'violence is not the govt's policy'". DAWN.COM. 16 February 2019.
  16. Tensions Between India and Pakistan Are at Their Highest Point in Decades. Here's What to Know, TIME.
  17. 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)
  18. ^ "Pakistan warns India against attacking". 19 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019 – via www.bbc.com.
  19. Dawn.com (19 February 2019). "Pakistan will address actionable evidence if shared by Delhi, PM Khan tells India after Pulwama attack". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  20. "United States Defence Department document leaked by Wikileaks which talk about Balakot" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  21. "350 terrorists killed while sleeping: Sources". Deccan Herald. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  22. Farmer, Ben; Bedi, Rahul (26 February 2019). "Indian planes bomb Pakistan as Kashmir tensions escalate". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  23. "Twitter mocks Pakistan defence after IAF bombs terror launch pads in Balakot, Chakothi & Muzaffarabad". web.archive.org. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  24. "IAF strike Pakistan, POK beyond LOC, Balakot Sector, Mirage planes live updates: Veteran actor Anupam Kher salutes PM Narendra Modi - NewsX". web.archive.org. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  25. Singh, Sushant (27 February 2019). "Wheel comes full circle: Balakot camp was run by IC-814 hijacker". The Indian Express.
  26. "IAF jets strike and destroy Jaish camp across LoC, 200 killed: Sources". Hindustan Times. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  27. "Pakistan vows response over India 'strikes'". 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  28. ^ Dawn.com (26 February 2019). "Indian aircraft violate LoC, scramble back after PAF's timely response: ISPR". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  29. "Full statement of Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on air strikes on JeM's largest training camp in Balakot". Mumbai Mirror. 26 February 2019.
  30. "Indian defense ministry says no information about air violations..." Reuters. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  31. Ghafoor, Maj Gen Asif (25 February 2019). "Indian aircrafts 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. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  32. Ghafoor, Maj Gen Asif (25 February 2019). "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". @OfficialDGISPR. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  33. Ghafoor, Maj Gen Asif (25 February 2019). "Payload of hastily escaping Indian aircrafts fell in open.pic.twitter.com/8drYtNGMsm". @OfficialDGISPR. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  34. "Pakistan releases pictures of Indian Air Force payload". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  35. 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.
  36. Dawn.com (26 February 2019). "PM Khan summons 'important meeting' in wake of India's LoC violation". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  37. 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.
  38. 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. Retrieved 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. 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.
  41. ANI (26 February 2019). "India successfully test fires quick reaction surface to air missile off the coast of Odisha. Two missiles were tested by the DRDO for the missile being developed for the Army.pic.twitter.com/5W9Hjmj45L". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  42. 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.
  43. 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. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  44. "Pak drone shot down near Gujarat border". The Hindu. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
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  46. "India launches air strike inside Pakistan; Islamabad denies..." Reuters. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  47. ANI (26 February 2019). "Intel Sources: Picture of JeM facility destroyed by Indian Ar Force strikes in Balakot, Pakistanpic.twitter.com/th1JWbVrHw". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  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. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  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. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  50. ANI (26 February 2019). "Chinese diplomat was also briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on the Indian Air Force strike in Balakot". @ANI. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  51. "China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after air strike". The Economic Times. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  52. 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)
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