MASSIVE: India strikes and destroys Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the LoC: LIVE UPDATES

Azhar Yusuf alias Mohd Salim alias Ustaad Gohri was targeted today in Balakot. He was one of the hijackers of IC-814. 

First images of the JeM hubs destroyed by Indian armed forces.

Pakistan Army cordons the whole area of Balakot .They are clearing all the evidences from the Balakot JeM camps so they can deny Indian claims of killing hundreds of terrorists. They are also hiding bodies of terrorists: Sources

Information regarding terror camps has been provided to Pakistan but Pakistan continues to deny their existence. Pakistan has taken no concrete action against such terror attacks. Information was there that other terror attacks were to be taken: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary

Government is committed to take actions against terrorism. The strike has taken place short while ago hence we are waiting for more details. Credible intelligence was received that Jaish-e-Mohammed was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country & fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary

Top terror commanders killed. India struck the biggest terror camp in Balakot. This facility was headed by brother in law of Masood Azhar: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary

Large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders were eliminated in largest JeM camp in Balakot. Camp was led by Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, brother in law of JeM Chief Masood Azhar: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary

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.

PM Modi has briefed both President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu about the action.

Sources have told Republic TV that the Defence Minister was presented with multiple retaliatory options. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa drew up the plan for retaliatory air strikes. Indian Army and Air Force stepped up the air surveillance along the LoC. Drones were also used for the surveillance, we are being told. 

It is also learnt that target spots were selected around Feb 20-21. Two Mirage squadrons with 12 jets were designated for the mission. Further, early warning jet of Embraer platform and mid-air refueller did a trial run. 

Sources have also mentioned told that 12 Mirage 2000s took off in batches. The mirages are equipped with laser-guided bombs. Also, it is reported that surveillance drone was also used in the operation. They fly at a low-level across LoC near Muzaffarabad. 

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.

On Feb 15, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had presented the retaliatory airstrike option. On Feb 24, the trial run was carried out from Bhatinda and Agra. This included the early warning jets and mid air refueller. Heron Surveillance drone was used in the operation.

Top senior commanders of Jaish were moved out by Pakistan army from Balakot post in the past few days. Sources indicate that more than 245 foot soldiers and terrorists who were under going training in these 3 camps were neutralised

Army chief and Air Force chief will be meeting NSA.

The northern army Commander is monitoring the situation and in touch with the Army Chief and all all the formation Commanders and they have been ordered to deal with any Pakistani misadventure.

7 Squadron Battle Axes and 1 Squadron Tigers engaged in the operation. Joint air surveillance by Indian Air Force and army was done between February 16-21. Trial run was being done in Central India so that Pakistani Intelligence cannot pick up any chatter.

Meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, is underway.

Air Strikes today a strong response by India to Pakistan: If you can’t shut terror training camps, then we will: Top govt source

Strike carried out under planning/directions directly from NSA Ajit Doval: Sources

Along with Jaish, LeT and HM training camps have been hit. Dullai, south Muzzafarabad on Kohla road — camps for communication of all terror groups (Jaish, HM & LeT) for controlling operations located here — this too has been destroyed.

Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauds Indian forces for taking down terror camps in Pakistan.

Exercise commenced at about 3 am on Tuesday. Payload was released at designated points and “assets” have returned safely. IAF machinery along the  border is on a heightened alert. IAF used the Ambala base for the operation: Sources

Here's what former Army chief and present MoS MEA VK Singh had to tweet about Indian forces decimating Jaish camps in Pakistan.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale to brief the media at 11:30 am

China, Pakistan Foreign Ministers hold telephonic conversation over India's air strikes: XINHUA

First reaction from the Indian Air Force after attack on JeM camps.

We just got to know about the strike...I think we should wait for official confirmation...All bases are on alert...Clarity will be provided by the Ministry of Defence...We are on top alert after Pulwama....We will see what all these strikes were about: Air Commodore Srinivasan 

This was a diplomatic strike. A warning to Pakistan. The strike was way beyond LoC. This was not cross IB. This was an “escalatory move”: MoD source

Agra, Bareilly, Halwara used for launching planes for attack: IAF sources

PM Modi supervised the operation. He was in situation room at South block. He will speak at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at the Gandhi peace prize ceremont in a while: Sources

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar address media.

The Indian forces early on Tuesday morning struck the terror bases in Pakistan as 12 Mirage 2000 jets carrying 1000 kg of bombs dropped it at various Jaish-e-Mohammed camps in the neighboring country.

Sources have told Republic TV that the attack took place at 3:30 am on February 26. Three control rooms of the terror group - Balakot, Chakoti, Muzaffarabad - were destroyed as the Indian forces avenged Pulwama, souces also mentioned.

This attack comes less than two weeks after 40 CRPF jawans attained martyrdom following an IED blast on their convoy along the Pulwama district on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

In the aftermath of the that attack, a joint-operation was conducted by the security forces in the Pulwama district and three JeM terrorists were neutralized, including the mastermind of the previous attack.

The armed forces and the Indian government on a number of occasions mentioned that Pakistan will be taught a lesson. 

Initially, diplomatic action was taken as the Most Favored Nation (MNF) status was withdrawn from them, while tax on exports from Pakistan was increased. 

Sources have said that the Jaish camps in Balakot, Chakoti, Muzaffarabad have all been completely destroyed.

The operation was completed in 21 mins. In Balankot camp of Jaish, the attack took place between 3:45 am and 3:53 am. In Muzaffarabad, the operation was held between 3:48 am and 3:55 am, while in Chakoti, the strike took place between 3:35 am and 4:04 am

Republic TV has learnt that the blueprint of the attack was discussed during Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman's meeting with the three respective chief's of Indian Armed forces. It is reported that it was a well-planned move, and stand-by teams were also set up in case Pakistan retaliated.

Here's how the political leaders have reacted to Indian forces attacking Jaish camps in Pakistan:

Republic TV shall not broadcast any video unless officially confirmed.

Pak FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi calls an ‘Emergency meeting at the Foreign Office’: Geo TV

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reacts to the successful strike carried out by the Indian forces: