'I salute Indian Air Force,' says Manohar Parrikar after Balakot strike

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday congratulated Indian Air Force for launching a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan in which up to 350 terrorists and trainers are believed to have been killed.

Within minutes after he was discharged from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) this evening, Parrikar, 63, took to twitter and praised the Air Force.

"I salute the #IndianAirForce for its daring operations. It is a testimony to the IAF's unparalleled strike capabilities. The new India under Shri.@narendramodi ji believes in its forces, and makes no compromise on terrorism and national security," tweeted the former defence minister who had supervised the 2016 surgical strike across the LoC.

I salute the #IndianAirForce for its daring operations. It is a testimony to the IAF’s unparalleled strike capabilities. The new India under Shri. @narendramodi ji believes in its forces, & makes no compromise on terrorism & national security.

— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) February 26, 2019

India conducted a major pre-emptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers, and senior commanders, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday also commended the Indian Air Force for carrying out a successful operation against terrorist camps across the LOC. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in many parts of the state while bereaved family members of the two CRPF personnel from Bihar, who were among those killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, said it felt like balm on our wounds.

Such a step was warranted in view of the public anger against terrorism that was prevailing in the country. A beginning has been made and the Centre must take all steps that are required to wipe out terrorism, Kumar told reporters.

Congratulations to our great Air Force for a successful operation. Jai Hindi Jai Bharat tweeted Prasad, who is in Ranchi serving sentences in fodder scam cases. Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who belongs to the BJP, said in a statement it was on Bihars soil during his February 17 visit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked that he felt the same fire in himself that was raging in the hearts of the people after the Pulwama attack. The entire nation is with the PM and the Indian Air Force in this proud moment.

Lok Janshakti Party heir apparent Chirag Paswan, who had recently shot off an impassioned letter to the Prime Minister urging him to launch a drive against terrorism which should not be discontinued until a single terrorist was alive, tweeted our Air Force has avenged the Pulwama terror attack by destroying the hideouts of Jaish. Salutations to the armed forces for this courageous expedition.

Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha, in news mostly for his outbursts against the BJP leadership and the Modi government, tweeted Honourable PM Sir! The entire nation is with @narendramodi in this hour. We are all with you and you have our fullest support. Salutes to the great Indian Air Force.

(With agency inputs)