(Line of Control Separating India and Pakistan)
Strong reports of IAF strikes on Pak targets in the early hours of the morning. Crucial for official reactions. Pak also confirms we hit.
— Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) February 26, 2019
IAF Sources: At 0330 hours on 26th February a group of Mirage 2000 Indian Fighter jets struck a major terrorist camp across the LoC
and completely destroyed it. pic.twitter.com/RlxTJ4e3AF— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019
Ok here we go. If true, first time IAF acknowledges crossing LoC for air strikes in almost half a century (1971 War). Did not do so during Kargil War one year after both India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. Seemingly did so today. https://t.co/xUCBGOq3JY
— Vipin Narang (@NarangVipin) February 26, 2019
While this specific response may not have been what was anticipated, those of us who follow security measures on the sub-continent have been expecting India to retaliate for a Jaish e Mohammed attack against Indian police officers earlier this month.
India said a Pakistan based militant group, Jaish-e Mohammed carried out Thursday’s deadly attack on an Indian police convoy in disputed Kashmir, and demanded that its neighbor act against militant groups operating from its soil.
A car laden with explosives slammed into the convoy, killing at least 44 soldiers in the deadliest attack on security forces in decades in the region, raising tensions with Pakistan which claims the territory.
“We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
While The Reuters reporting states the Indian casualties were soldiers, subsequent reporting clarified they were police officers.
The number of casualties may be huge, says a source. The target was a huge camp/launchpad which has been completely destroyed. #JaisheMohammad #Surgicalstrike2 #pulwamaavenged
— Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) February 26, 2019
The Pakistani side has confirmed that a 'paylaod' (weapon) has been dropped near Balakot.
Now, that is a very deep strike indeed by the Indian Air Force. And if Indian jets have come back unharmed from this, a superb mission indeed.
No official word yet. pic.twitter.com/V18DXUZIDT
— Manu Pubby (@manupubby) February 26, 2019
The 'payload' is likely to be a 1000 kg bomb! #JaisheMohammad #Surgicalstrike2
— Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) February 26, 2019
As of right now we know that the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck well past the Line of Control. Everyone is now waiting on Islamabad’s response. Apparently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has their F-16s on combat air patrol (CAP) over Islamabad, which is to be expected.
The spokesman for the Pakistan Armed Forces is making the following statements about the attack, which contradicts some of the reporting above:
Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back. Details to follow.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 25, 2019
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.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019
Payload of hastily escaping Indian aircrafts fell in open. pic.twitter.com/8drYtNGMsm
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019
Indian aircrafts’ intrusion across LOC in Muzafarabad Sector within AJ&K was 3-4 miles.Under forced hasty withdrawal aircrafts released payload which had free fall in open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019
And this reporting from NDTV:
https://twitter.com/VishnuNDTV/status/1100245335635607552
As of right now, there is nothing posted by either the Indian Ministry of Defense or the Indian Air Force on social media about the attack. Though both the Congress Party and Rahul Ghandi have responded:
We salute the @IAF_MCC for their consistent & determined effort to keep Indians safe.
Jai Hind. https://t.co/RmfHQNlwH4— Congress (@INCIndia) February 26, 2019
Something that is important to keep in mind, just as in the case in the Levant, because of the geography of the region, where basing is located, and the capabilities of modern fighter jets, time to station for either the IAF or the PAF is well below the ability of the other side to respond to a quick strike. I would expect that right now the Pakistani Prime Minister Imram Khan is being pulled in at least three different directions: one by his civilian advisors, one by he military, and one by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
According to NDTV’s live feed:
Feb 26, 2019
10:04 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top ministers in the cabinet committee on security at his home in Delhi to take stock of the situation.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of the government are attending the meeting.
Feb 26, 2019
09:55 (IST)
Indian Air Force has put on high alert all air defence systems along the International Border and Line of Control, reports news agency ANI.
Now we have to wait and see what happens. India’s response to the 11 February 2019 attack on its paramilitary police is unprecedented. As Ankit Panda indicates below, no nuclear weapons state has used conventional air power to attack another nuclear weapons state’s territory before.
Okay. @nitingokhale reporting that IAF •did• strike Jaish-e-Mohammed facilities in KPK—that’s huge. First use of conventional airpower by one nuclear-armed power against another nuclear-armed power’s territory, AFAIK. (KPK is not disputed.) https://t.co/banHBqdqlg
— Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) February 26, 2019
All we can do now is wait for Pakistan’s response and then India’s response to that if any.
Open thread!