Happy that all parties in one voice praised the security forces, says Sushma Swaraj after all-party meet

The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, on Tuesday, briefed all parties after the Indian Air Force conducted air strikes across the Line of Control (LoC). After the meeting, Sushma Swaraj said that all parties in one voice praised the security forces and supported the government’s anti-terror operations.

According to the sources, the minister also informed the leaders that she spoke to US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo over the Indian air strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps in Balakot.

While speaking to the media after the all-party meet, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, “We have appreciated the efforts by the forces, they always have our support to end terrorism. Another good thing is that it was a clean operation which specifically targeted terrorists and terror camps.”

#WATCH EAM Sushma Swaraj after all party meeting: I am happy that all parties in one voice praised the security forces and supported the Govt's anti-terror operations. pic.twitter.com/AOaIhMIDln

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019

The European Union spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic has also reacted to the development and said, “We're following very closely the current developments between India & Pakistan. We remain in contact with both countries & what we believe is essential, is that all exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions.”

The Cabinet Committee on Security met on Tuesday morning at the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes in Pakistan. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present at the meeting.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of the prime minister's office and the security apparatus were present at the meeting, official sources said.

India is believed to have carried out air strikes inside Pakistan early Tuesday and targeted terror camps, sources said.

The strikes involving several fighter jets of the Indian Air Force successfully destroyed camps belonging to Pakistan-based terror outfits in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the sources said.