IAF Mirage 2000 drops 1000 Kg bombs, destroys major terrorist camp across LoC: Report

India carried out another surgical strike across the Line of Control in early morning hours on Tuesday. According to news agency ANI, the Indian Air Force’s Mirage 2000 dropped 1,000 Kg bombs and destroyed major terrorist camp across Line of Control. At 3:30 am, Mirage 2000 struck the camp, which is supposed to be located somewhere in Balakot. 12 Mirage 2000 jets took part in the operation that dropped 1000 Kg bombs on terror camps across LOC, completely destroying it, the Ani report said.

The report comes hours after Pakistan claimed that Indian Air Force violated the Line of Control. Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of Pakistan Armed Forces, took to Twitter to announce about the alleged violation. “Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back,” Ghafoor said in an early morning tweet. Short while from now, he also tweeted an update saying that, “Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector.” He also added that, “Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.”

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The claim comes amid reports that Islamabad has been anticipating a strong action from New Delhi. Hence, it has not vacated the winter posts in the forward areas. This has happened for the first time in many years. The report also said combined with the launchpads, the real number of the Pakistani troopers across the border can’t be guessed. There are more than 50 such winter posts near the Line of Control, the media report said.

In aftermath of Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the armed forces being given ‘free hand’ to avenge Pulwama attack. Addressing media in New Delhi after the CCS meet, PM Modi said, “Our security forces have been given free hand. The forces behind this act of terrorism and those responsible for it, will be definitely be punished,” he said. “If our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake,” PM Modi said without naming Pakistan.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that Pakistan is shifting terrorist leaders, including Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, to safe areas after India demanded of strong action against them following the Pulwama attack on February 14, sources said. The sources added that on February 17-18, Azhar was shifted from Rawalpindi to Kot Ghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan.

Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019

To keep Azhar and other terrorists safe, Pakistan has provided three-layer security which is guarded by local police, special forces and the Pakistan Army. The outer periphery is being guarded by the local police, while the second and third layers have been taken care of by special forces and the Pakistan Army.

After the Pulwama attack, which was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed, India launched a major diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. The government slammed Pakistan for using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India has also asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Modi had announced that the armed forces being given ‘free hand’.
• Reports suggest that the camp destroyed by IAF belonged to JeM.
• Reportedly 10 bombs were dropped in pre-dawn airstrike.