Indian Air Force destroys 3 terror camps of Jaish across LoC, 300 killed: Reports

Indian Air Force fighter jets on Tuesday struck three Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). “Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad terror launch pads across the LOC completely destroyed in IAF air strikes. JeM control rooms also destroyed,” tweeted ANI.

According to reports, IAF used Mirage-2000 jets with laser-guided bombs for the air strike and reportedly caused an estimated casualty of 200-300. Top government officials say that the Balakot camp is spread around 6 to 7 acres and is the biggest Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan. 

The strike came 12 days after the Pakistan-based terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammed carried, out the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives. The sources said significant damage has been inflicted on the ground on the Pakistani side.

Earlier, Major General Asif Ghafoor, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said Indian aircrafts intruded from the Muzaffarabad sector.

"Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage," Ghafoor said in a tweet.

"Indian Air Force violated Line of Control Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back," he claimed.  

Hours after the strike, the Indian Army tweeted a Hindi poem which says that "if you are docile and polite before the enemy, he may consider you as a coward, the way Kauravas treated Pandavas".

The poem by Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' was tweeted by Additional Director General, Public Information on its official handle. Peace overtures, the poem says, are possible only when you are in a powerful position and capable to win. 

With PTI Inputs