India strikes back, destroys Jaish-e-Mohammed camps across LoC: All we know so far

Twelve days after the dastardly Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred, the Indian Air Force, in a pre-dawn operation, struck and destroyed terrorist camps across the Line of Control on Tuesday.

Here's what we know so far:

• As per sources, it was the Indian Air Force's Mirage-2000 fighter jets, 12 in number, that participated in the operation. 
• As per IAF sources, the operation was conducted at 3:30 AM on February 26.
• The operation involved dropping 1000kg payloads on terror camps
• Jaish-e-Mohammed terror launchpads at Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad were destroyed in the operation
• Balakot camp was led by the brother in law of JeM chief Masood Azhar
• PM Modi briefed both President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu about the action.
• Govt has called for an all party meeting at 5 pm later on Tuesday. EAM Sushma Swaraj has called a meeting inviting Opposition leaders at Jawahar Bhawan (MEA) to brief them on India’s action.

• Alpha 3 control rooms of the Jaish-e-Mohammed were also destroyed in the operation
• The strike involved a low-fly run by the Indian Air Force's fighters.

Statement by Foreign Secretary on 26 February 2019 on the Strike on JeM training camp at Balakot:

On 14 February 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by a Pak based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad, leading to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans of the CRPF.  JeM has been active in Pakistan for the last two decades, and is led by MASOOD AZHAR with its headquarters in Bahawalpur.

This organization, which is proscribed by the UN, has been responsible of a series of terrorist attacks including on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 and the Pathankot airbase in January 2016.

Information regarding the location of training camps in Pakistan and PoJK has been provided to Pakistan from time to time.  Pakistan, however, denies their existence.  The existence of such massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jidhadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistan authorities.

India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against the JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed inside Pakistan.  Pakistan has taken no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil.  

Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose.  In the face of imminent danger,  a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary.

In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot.  In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated.  This facility at Balakot was headed by MAULANA YOUSUF AZHAR (alias USTAD GHOURI), the brother-in-law of MASOOD AZHAR, Chief of JeM.

The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism.  Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp.  The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties.  The facility is located in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence.  As the strike has taken place only a short while  ago, we are awaiting further details.  

The Government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India.  We expect that Pakistan lives up to its public commitment and takes follow up actions to dismantle all JeM and other camps and hold the terrorists accountable for the actions.

The strike on Pakistani terror launchpads comes just short of two weeks after the heinous Pulwama terror attack in which a suicide bomber in an explosives-laden car targeted a CRPF convoy. 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred in the attack for which the Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility shortly afterwards.

In the days following the attack, the Indian government, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, have made clear that the Armed Forces had been given a free rein to avenge the attack. 

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