Surgical Strike 2.0 LIVE | Casualty in Balakot strike will be known soon: Rajnath

In the morning of 27 Feb 19, our Air Defence system was on full alert. Build up of PAF aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle the adversary. In their attempt to attack our ground targets, PAF aircraft were engaged effectively. From IAF side, Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft were involved in the engagement. PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in a hurry, which is also evident from large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them. During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM were conclusively observed. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in area East of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on ground. Detailed report in this regard has already been released by IAF. All the Su-30 aircraft engaged in combat landed back safely. False claim by Pakistan of shooting down a Su-30, appears to be a cover-up for loss of its own aircraft..

Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar's brother was among 44 members of the banned militant outfits arrested by authorities in Pakistan, amid mounting pressure from the global community on Islamabad to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil.

READ MORE

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the number of terrorists killed in the air strike by Indian Air Force on the training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan's Balakot would be known "today or tomorrow".

READ MORE

"It will be known one day how many terrorists were killed in Balakot. NTRO system said there were 300 mobile phones active at Balakot attack site; Were these used by trees if not terrorists.If Congress wants to know how many terrorists were killed, they should go to Pakistan and ask there or count bodies," says Rajnath Singh

Pakistan has stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters, the navy said on Tuesday, as tensions continue to run high between the nuclear-armed foes.

The development came days after a rare aerial fight between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir ignited fears of all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint.

Read more

Union Min Ravi Shankar Prasad on Congress leader Digvijaya Singh terming Pulwama terrorist attack an “accident”: Has Digvijaya Singh reduced himself to such a low level that he will call the most heinous terrorist attack on 45 CRPF jawans as an accident? This is their thinking.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad: There is a growing competition between senior leaders of the Congress party as to who is more vocal in lowering the morale of the security forces.

The Pulwama attack was perpetrated by extremists and "aided by a State" that seeks to destabilise India, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said on Tuesday.

Read More

MoS MEA VK Singh on Amit Shah's "More than 250 terrorists were killed" in airstrike: That was based on people who were housed in the buildings which were hit, it's an estimate. He is not saying this is a confirmed figure, he is saying this many might have died.

MoS MEA VK Singh on being asked about the casualty figure in IAF air strikes: The figure is of the attack on Balakot (250 casualty), attack was only at one place, nowhere else. The target was selected carefully, away from residential areas to avoid civilian casualty.

#WATCH Union minister VK Singh on Congress leader Digvijaya Singh terming #Pulwama terrorist attack an “accident”,says, "With due respect, I would like to ask Digvijaya Singh Ji, was Rajiv Gandhi's assassination an accident or a terror incident?" pic.twitter.com/Sm1blc2Gjj

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019

Union minister VK Singh on Congress leader Digvijay Singh terming Pulwama terrorist attack an “accident”, in Ranchi: With due respect, I would like to ask Digvijaya Singh Ji, was Rajiv Gandhi's assassination an accident or a terror incident?

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Digvijaya Singhterms Pulwama Attack an ‘accident’: Congress ko kya hogya hai? Desh ki jan bhawna se ek dum ulti baat karte hain, sena ki jankari ko jhutla rahe hain. Aisa kisi lok tantra desh mein nahi hota jahan sena par hi avishwas darshaya jata hai.

Spot visuals: Two terrorists killed in the ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists in Tral. #JammuAndKashmir (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/kR7HiKe4xk

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019

Naval Chief Sunil Lanba: The Indo-pacific region has witnessed multiple forms of terrorism in recent years and few countries in this part of world have been spared by this cause. Global nature which terrorism has acquired in recent times has further enhanced the scope of this threat.

The Government of Pakistan on Monday issued the United Nations Security Council (Freezing and Seizure) Order, 2019 to streamline implementation of the international organization's sanctions on the terrorists and the terrorist organizations.

Read more

Amid mounting military tension and diplomatic face-off between India and Pakistan, filmmakers are going all out to register titles on the sequence of events that unfolded during the last fortnight.

Read more

A Pakistani Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was shot down by the Indian defence forces after it crossed the Indian border near Bikaner in Rajasthan on Monday.

READ MORE

At 11.30 am today a Sukhoi 30MKI shot down a Pakistani drone at the Bikaner Nal sector area of the border. The drone was detected by Indian Air Defence radars: ANI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said BJP president Amit Shah took a stand contradictory to that of the armed forces over the number of terrorists killed in the pre-dawn air strikes on terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's training camps in Pakistan.

Read more

Pakistan Air Force chief on Monday asked his officers to keep their "guard up" as the challenges facing the country "are not over yet", amid heightened tensions with India following the Pulwama terror attack and aerial combat between the two forces.

Read more

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday cautioned that Pakistan would not hesitate to use its nuclear arsenal if it felt it was losing out against India in a conventional battle.

Read more

Pakistan plans to take action against militant groups operating on its soil, a minister said on Monday, amid global pressure to act after a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir last month.

Read more

Actor Kangana Ranaut, who advocated the destruction of Pakistan after the Pulwama attack, has suggested Indian films could be stopped from releasing in the neighbouring country in future.

Read more

With the Congress seeking to corner the Modi government over details of the Indian air strike on a terrorist camp in Pakistan, the BJP on Monday asked it to not mislead the country and insult armed forces with "fake and fabricated" stories.

Read more

The Trinamool Congress on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah and said that the armed forces were being used for political posturing.

Read more

Actor John Abraham on Monday said there should be a takedown on terrorism and not a war with a country or a religion as stereotyping is dangerous in a "polarised" world.

Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out the opposition for questioning his statement that the presence of Rafale fighters would have given greater firepower to the IAF during the February 27 aerial engagement with Pakistan.

Read more

After Congress leader Digvijay Singh, senior party leader Kapil Sibal has sought proof of Indian Air Force's strike destroying the biggest camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising terror.

Read more

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the person who solves the Kashmir issue will be worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, days after a resolution was submitted in Parliament endorsing him for the prestigious award, citing his "efforts to de-escalate" tensions with India.

READ MORE

As tempers cool after an alarming confrontation between India and Pakistan, analysts say their leaders have emerged stronger -- with Narendra Modi burnishing his nationalist credentials and Imran Khan cast as a peacemaker.

Read more

I said if Rafale was acquired in time it would have made a difference, but they say Modi is questioning our air force strike: PM Narendra Modi in Gujarat. Please use common sense; what I said was if we had Rafale at the time of air strikes than none of our fighter jets would have gone down and none of theirs saved: Modi.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa: I don't know what's the individual agreement between America & Pakistan. If the individual agreement was that they'll not use it (F-16) for offensive purposes, then I think they have violated that.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa: We have got pieces of the AMRAAM missile in our territory which we displayed & obviously I think they (Pakistan) have lost an F-16 aircraft in that combat, obviously they have been using the aircraft against us.

PM Modi in Jamnagar, Gujarat: The nation agrees that the menace of terror has to be eliminated. I want to ask you, don't you trust what our armed forces say? We should be proud of our armed forces.

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief B S Dhanoa on Monday reiterated that his force “hit our target” in the Balakot air strikes deep inside Pakistan last week but refused to give the number of casualties saying it is for the Government to count them.

Read More

#WATCH Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa says, "The Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system." pic.twitter.com/6D3yzBEQrY

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2019

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa: Whether he (Wing Commander Abhinandan) flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get hismedical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on air strikes: The target has been clearly amplified by FS in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pak PM) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond.

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday claimed that over 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike carried out by the Indian Air Force on the "13th Day of the dastardly Pulwama terror attack."

Read More

Pakistani authorities on Monday restored the Samjhauta Express services between Lahore and Delhi, days after the train was suspended due to tense bilateral ties.

Read More

Intelligence agencies were trying to ascertain reports on the social media about the death of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan, officials said on Sunday.

Read More

The Pakistan government in order to de-escalate the tensions with India, has decided to launch a crackdown on terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, according to a top government source while a media report said Sunday that Islamabad may even withdraw its opposition to the move to list him as global terrorist in the UN Security Council.

Read More

Pakistani troops on Monday violated ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control in Akhnoor sector here, breaking a two-day lull in cross-border skirmishes, officials said.

Read More

As doubts on the success of the Balakot air strike refuse to die down, a purported audio message by Maulana Ammar — the younger brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar — has surfaced in which the JeM commander claims that the Indian aerial strike hit the training camp where young recruits were trained in jihad (holy war).

Read More

Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Monday asked the NDA Government to “make the effort” to clear the doubts over Balakot air strikes if “we want the world to believe” the operation that struck the JeM terror camps deep inside Pakistan rather than indulging in “Opposition-bashing.”

Read More

Salman Khurshid, Congress on his tweet on #AbhinandanVarthaman: I didn't say the attack happened during my tenure, I had said that the person who attacked was commissioned in the Air Force during our tenure. I had only stated truth. I did not take credit. pic.twitter.com/63IfHdLuYV

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2019

Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman's moustache style getting popular. A Bengaluru local Mohammed Chand says,' I'm his fan, we follow him. I like his style. He is the real hero; I'm happy.' pic.twitter.com/cT7QGXntMs

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2019

Two militants were killed in a 56-hour-long encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Sunday, officials said.

Read more

Srinath Raghavan, Professor of History and International Relations at Ashoka University, tells DH’s S. Raghotham that the February 26 airstrike will not be enough, India will have act along a broad front militarily and diplomatically to incrementally change Pakistan’s behaviour towards India.

Read more

A day after he returned from Pakistan's custody, Indian Air Force’s Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman was in “high spirits” as doctors at Army’s Research and Referral hospital checked his medical conditions.

Read more

Military force should be carefully calibrated to avoid untoward escalation. Large-scale conventional conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbours runs the risk of spiralling out of control to nuclear exchanges in the event of misjudgement on either side.

Read more

Result-oriented diplomacy requires the identification of clear political objectives. In the fortnight between the Pulwama terrorist attack, the Balakot aerial strike,the Pakistani counter and the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, India’s overall diplomatic aim remained the same—to contribute to the national effort against Pakistani terror.

Read more

The Prime Minister also said that the armed forces direly missed the Rafale fighter jets during the strikes. “Today, entire India is saying in one voice, what could have happened if we had the Rafale jets,” he said.

Read more

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing politics instead of receiving IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, held captive by Pakistan for nearly 60 hours and released on Friday.

Read more

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who returned to a hero's welcome on Friday, says hefaced mental harassmentduring the course of his 60-hour capture in Pakistan.

Read more

India will use evidence of Pakistan Air Force using American F-16 aircraft for intrusion into its airspace on Wednesday to convince the United States against selling fighter jets and other advanced military hardware to Pakistan in future.

Read more

The BJP is set to make West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s questions about the outcome of the air strikes by the IAF on terror camps in Pakistan a major issue in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Read more

Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for terrorism against any state, including India, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday as he claimed that the "nerve centre" of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group has been taken over by the government.

Read more

Srinagar: Wreath laying ceremony of two CRPF personnel- Inspector Pintu and Ct Vinod- who lost their lives in Handwara encounter yesterday #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/pLo6vu069c

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019

Congress President Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Ranchi, Jharkhand: Indian Air Force protects the country, Air force pilots sacrifice their lives but our Prime Minister steals money from the Air Force, and puts it in Anil Ambani's pockets, it is a shame.

According to IAF officials, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamanmet IAF Chief BS Dhanoa today morning and explained his detention in Pakistan. The Wing Commander will stay at Air Force Officer's Mess.

A baby born on Friday evening, when IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was about to be released by Pakistan, was named after him by a family in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

Read More

The US is seeking more information on the potential misuse of American-made F-16 fighter jets by Pakistan against India in violation of the end-user agreement, the State Department has said.

Read More

"Abhinandan" used to mean congratulations, but its meaning will change now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday referring to the IAF pilot released by Pakistan and the air strike carried out by India in Pakistan.

Read More

On March 1, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman walked his way to freedom much to the delight of his countrymen. Meanwhile, a family in Pakistan is in mourning.

READ MORE

Doubts were cast by certain sections of Pakistan and international media about the damage the Indian Air Force (IAF) actually inflicted during their strikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

READ MORE

Handwara: Wreath laying ceremony of two J&K Police personnel who lost their lives in Kupwara encounter yesterday. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/FYDVU6frU0

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019

Jammu & Kashmir: Three members of a family were killed in shelling by Pakistan, in Poonch district's Krishna Ghati sector, last night. pic.twitter.com/kqCsnf6RFH

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019

Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned home from Pakistan on Friday to a hero's welcome, two days after he was captured following a dogfight when his MiG 21 was shot down.

Read more

IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman at Wagah-Attari border, to cross border soon to enter India. pic.twitter.com/a1hVjwroVw

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019

Chinahascancelledallflightsto and from Pakistan and rerouted its international aircraft flying over the Pakistani airspace due to regional tensions.

Read more

Pakistan plans to lodge a complaint against India at the United Nations, accusing it of "eco-terrorism" over air strikes that damaged pine trees and brought the nuclear-armed nations to blows, a government minister said on Friday.

Read more

It must be understood that #Pakistan has not done us a favor by returning #WingCommanderAbhinandan. Under the #GenevaConvention, a serving soldier captured during conflict has to be returned.
We must not forget that after 1971, we released over 90,000 PoW from Pakistan.

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) March 1, 2019

We are happy on the return of @IAF_MCC fighter pilot Wng Cdr Avinandhan to India, says @INCIndia president @RahulGandhi #Mumbai #Maharashtra #LokSabhaElections2019 @DeccanHerald

— MB:The Guide (@mrityunjaybose) March 1, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman saying every Indian was proud of him and lashed out at political rivals for suspecting the armed forces which, he said, helped Pakistan.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Tuesday praised the Air Force for the strike on a terror camp in Pakistan and equated the operation to the mythical tale of Lord Hanuman returning safely after setting Lanka ablaze, as mentioned in the epic Ramayan.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday welcomed IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman back in the country after being in the custody of Pakistan for two days. "Welcome home #AbhinandanVarthaman Welcome home sweet home," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

The Islamabad High Court on Friday dismissed a Pakistani citizen's plea to stop the imminent release of the captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman.

Read more

Visuals from Attari-Wagah border; Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman to be received by a team of Indian Air Force. pic.twitter.com/C4wv14AEAd

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019

Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is on his way to the Attari-Wagah Border. Pakistani officials will hand over him to the Indian officials at the border crossing.

China on Friday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release the Indian Air Force pilot and encouraged the two countries to engage in more counterterrorism cooperation and dialogue for the regional peace and stability.

Read more

Pakistan: Visuals from Wagah in Lahore; IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman will soon be handed over to the Indian Air Force at Attari-Wagah border pic.twitter.com/xEPghVgNzi

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019

BREAKING: Pakistani officials bring Indian pilot captured from downed plane to border crossing with India for handover.

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 1, 2019

Hours after Pakistan announced its decision to release Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, India conveyed to Islamabad that it wants him to be sent back via aerial route and not through the Wagah land border

Read more

Two unidentified militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces Handwara area of north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district on Friday.

Read more

Developments on the Indo-Pak front has prompted Odisha government to order senior police officials in the districts to beef up security in and around vital establishments and installations, particularly defence related ones.

Read more ​

For the Varthamans, flying the MiG-21 fighter aircraft is a sort of family tradition.

Read more

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday raised the issue of terrorism at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting and said the menace is caused by "distortion of religion" and "misguided belief".

Read more

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the Pulwama incident in which several innocent lives were lost has united the world in the fight against terrorism like never before.

Read more

The decision to forbid visitors was taken for safety reasons and to avoid any overflow of passion by people who would have gathered on either side of the border.

Read more

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will be briefed on the current Indo-Pak relations by the foreign affairs ministry on Friday. The committee headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will meet in Parliament House this afternoon.

Read more

The daily Beating the Retreat ceremony at Attari-Wagah border will not be held today. Senior team of the Indian Air Force will receive Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Govt of India Sources: Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K), which has been banned, is the main organisation responsible for the propagation of separatist and radical ideology in Kashmir valley. This organisation has nothing to do with Jamaat-e-Islami.In 1953, Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) enacted its own constitution.

Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) is responsible for formation of Hizbul Mujahideen, the biggest terrorist org active in J&K. JeI (J&K) has been providing support to HM in terms of recruits, funding, logistics, etc. In a way, HM is a militant wing of JeI (J&K). (ANI)

Hundreds of people flocked the Attari border Friday to catch a glimpse of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is expected to touch home soil after his release from Pakistan.

Read more ​

"Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will cross the border today, can't tell you exact time since there are certain formalities. A senior Indian Air force team from Delhi is here, they will be the ones to receive him," saidDeputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, Amritsar. (ANI)

"Terrorism in each case is driven by distortion of religion. Fight against terror is not a confrontation against any religion. Just as Islam means peace, none of the 99 names of Allah mean violence.Similarly, every religion stands for peace," said Sushma Swaraj referring some Quranic verses.

"Terrorism is destroying lives, destabilizing regions and putting the world at great peril. Terror reach is growing and the toll it is taking is increasing."

BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said creating a situation for the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan was a diplomatic victory, ahead of the expected arrival of the captured pilot.

READ MORE

It may have been after midnight when the Chennai-Delhi flight came to a stop at the tarmac but there was no scramble to get bags from the overhead bin or rush towards the exit because all eyes were focused on one couple -- the parents of IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.

READ MORE

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is in Abu Dhabi to attend the foreign ministers' meet of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states where she is expected to raise the issue of terrorism, amidst Indo-Pak tensions following the Pulwama terror attack.

READ MORE

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has admitted that Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is "unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law.

READ MORE

BJP President Amit Shah on Friday slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for not condemning the Pulwama terror attack and said how could India trust him.

READ MORE

Pakistan is set to release the captured IAF pilot on Friday as a "first step" to open negotiations with India.

READ MORE

"Maximum number of terrorists have been eliminated under BJP govt led by Modi. Track record of our govt has been best in dealing with terror since Independence.Opposition resolution post air strikes gave ammunition to Pakistan.Pak PM should have criticised Pulwama attacks at least once. How can we trust him," saidAmit Shah in a media conclave

BSF in Ferozepur has arrested an Indian national near border outpost, Maboke and seized a mobile phone with Pakistani SIM card, in use, from his possession. The number is added to 8 Pak groups. 6 other Pak phone numbers also retrieved from him. The man is from Moradabad (UP): ANI

India and Pakistan seem to have walked back, at least for now, from the brink of war they had reached in the past two days. Pakistan has offered to return the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot they had captured, and an IAF representative has indicated that while the armed forces remain on high alert, any further Indian action against Pakistan would depend on provocations from that country. This is to be welcomed. Both countries had climbed up the escalation ladder of conflict with claims and accusations and actions and counter-actions. After India’s strike at a Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan on Tuesday, Pakistani aircraft violated Indian air space in a tit-for-tat action and sought to bomb Indian facilities. India shot down a Pakistani fighter. Pakistan downed an Indian MiG-21, captured the pilot and in an act of serious violation of conventions and norms paraded the wounded pilot on television. Shelling increased across the LoC, airports were shut down, and the war of words intensified. All this marked an intensification of hostilities.

READ MORE

The US on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release captured Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, from their custody.

READ MORE

One civilian was injured on Friday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

READ MORE

India on Thursday rejected Pakistan's offer of talks, saying that Prime Minister Imran Khan's government should first take immediate, credible and verifiable action against the terror organisations in territories under its control.

READ MORE

Firing between terrorists and security forces in Kupwara district's Handwara area ended. Two to three terrorists believed to be trapped.A search operation is underway.

At around 8:45 am on Thursday morning, Pakistani skies in Bhimber district, nearly 200 Km from Islamabad were lit up.

READ MORE

The parents of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman left for New Delhi on Thursday night to welcome their son on Friday when he is expected to be released by Pakistan from its custody. Read here

The army, navy and the air force Thursday said they are in a heightened state of readiness and fully prepared to deal with any provocation by Islamabad, notwithstanding Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's announcement of releasing the captured IAF pilot as a "gesture of peace". Read here

As deployment of additional troops on the international border with Pakistan in Punjab continues, villagers in the Attari, Pathankot and other border zones say they will not vacate their villages even in the extreme state if war breaks out. Read here

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked whether the air strikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on terror camps in Pakistan resulted in any casualties at all. Read here

#WATCH Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor: We are happy that our pilot who had fallen across the Line of Control and was in custody of Pakistan is being released, we're extremely happy to have him back. We only see it as a gesture which is in consonance with all Geneva conventions. pic.twitter.com/Dg5Cpel4Lw

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019

Delhi: Visuals from the high level meeting on security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg pic.twitter.com/y9DDv8UA04

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019

#BREAKING: Pieces of AMRAM beyond visual range missile used in Pakistan's F-16. Visuals shown to the media by the Indian military to demonstrate #Pakistan used it's F16 fighter jets in its air strike on India yesterday#IAFPilot #IndoPakTension #F16 pic.twitter.com/bNoUHmJ8An

— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) February 28, 2019

As long as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists, we will continue to target the terror camps.

We are ready for any misadventure by Pakistan and we are ready for resolute action. We want to ensure safety and security of our citizens

IAF fighters were tasked to intercept the intruding Pakistani aircraft and managed to thwart them. Although PAF jets dropped bombs, they were not able to cause any damage.One Pakistani F-16 was shot down by an IAF MiG 21 Bison Aircraft.East of Rajouri, parts of F-16 have been recovered, inside Indian territory. Also, IAF is happy that Wing Commander Abhinandan is returning tomorrow.There is enough evidence to show that F-16s were used in this mission through their electronic signatures. Parts of AMRAAM, air to air missile which is carried only on the Pakistani F-16s was recovered east of Rajouri within the Indian territory.Premature to say number of casualties on the camp, whatever we intended to destroy we got that result, he said on a question by ANI on bombing on JeM terror camps in Balakot.

LIVE Now: Joint #PressBriefing https://t.co/PguPoUpEpC

— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 28, 2019

Mehbooba Mufti: Good news,whole nation will be relieved. I hope our leadership will also reciprocate this peace gesture. I hope Imran Khan will stand by his word and take steps on Indian dossier on Pulwama attack. Imran Khan has acted like a statesman.

Arvind Kejriwal:I pray and hope brave son of India Wing Commander Abhinandan will be reunited with his family tomorrow. The country is proud of his courage.

Sitaram Yechury:Really happy to know Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be back home tomorrow.

Robert Vadra: It is the best news for his family and every citizen of India.

“Very glad to know that #WingCommandarAbhinandan (sic) will be heading home. I’ll wait for him to be back on Indian soil before I welcome him back but I’m greatly relieved that PM @ImranKhanPTI has announced the imminent release of our pilot,” tweeted Omar Abdullah.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who termed it as a step towards goodwill between the two countries said :“I’m very happy, I had demanded his release earlier too. This is going to be a step towards goodwill and I hope this will be lasting,” Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

A woman was killed while an off-duty soldier was critically wounded as the armies of India and Pakistan targeted each other with mortar shells along the Line of Control (LoC) across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
Read more

Pakistan will release Indian Pilot Abhinandan tomorrow as a gesture of peace: Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/6aUN4S9JVb

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 28, 2019

Wing Commander Abhinandanwill be coming out through Wagah Border on Friday and will be accompanied by outgoing defence attache of Pakistan, according toIndia Today andCNN-News18.

The Indian pilot shot down and captured by Pakistani forces this week will be released on Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said as efforts to cool a crisis between the two nuclear-armed neighbours continued.

Read more

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan: As a peace gesture we are releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan tomorrow.

Pakistan said Thursday it is prepared to release a captured Indian pilot if doing so will ease soaring tensions with India that have fuelled fears of conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.

"We are ready to hand over the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal told AFP, attributing the statement to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

He spoke a day after the pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was shot down in a rare aerial engagement between the South Asian neighbours over the disputed region of Kashmir.
Read more

The IT Ministry has asked YouTube to remove 11 video links pertaining to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan during an air combat on Wednesday, according to sources.
Read more

"At this point in time when the nation is looking towards its leadership, when the nation wants its leadership to speak to it, the Prime Minister chose to address the booth workers of the BJP rather than address the nation," said senior Congress leader Manish Tewari, according to ANI.

The hill at Balakot where Shah Ismail Shahid & his jihadis were killed by the Sikhs by 1831. When we passed through Balakot in Aug 2017 I wanted to visit the site, but we were told to be careful as it was still a Jihadi centre- hence the rather ad hoc picture from the outskirts. pic.twitter.com/zzNYeCUCvP

— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 28, 2019

India has not asked for consular access to the IAF pilot captured by Pakistan, and is insisting on his unconditional and immediate return, government sources said on Thursday.
Read more

India asked Pakistan for the immediate return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman but made it clear that it would not negotiate with Imran Khan's Government for his release, sources said in New Delhi.The Government will not allow Pakistan to use captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a bargaining chip to blackmail it or to change the national mood in India, where people are very angry after the February 14 killing of over 40 CRPF personnel at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.The Government will not allow Pakistan to use the capture of Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to change the national narrative in India as it had happened during the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in 1999when public pressure to ensure the return of the hostages had forced New Delhi to release terrorists like Masood Azhar, said sources.

Delhi: Visuals from outside Ministry of External Affairs. Meeting of Foreign Secy with diplomats from 10 countries, including Germany, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, South Africa & Belgium, has concluded. The Foreign Secy briefed them on updates in situation b/w India & Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/vGD1Z7hVpY

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019

Pakistan is prepared to release a captured Indian pilot if doing so will ease soaring tensions with India that have fuelled fears of conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals, its foreign ministry said Thursday.
Read more

Former envoy to Pakistan G Parthasarathy, who played a key role in bringing back IAF pilot K Nachiketa during the 1999 Kargil war, has expressed confidence that wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman too would return safely.
Read more

Pakistan violated ceasefire in Rajouri's Nowshera Sector at about 1415 hours today. Indian Army is retaliating according to ANI. Firstpost also citedMHA sources and said thatsnipers have been deployed in select Pakistan posts along the International Border and the Line of Control. Heavy deployment was reported with three Pakistanposts, including Sutlej Rangers and Chenab rangers and two Pakistan units, Sindh and Mujahid, moved to Kot Katera.MHA sources said that four Pakistan army artillery units were moved on Wednesday evening at Topa Girdan and Tarkundi.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it means de-escalation of ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, sources tell ANI that Pakistan is trying to create a Kandahar type pressure but India will not give in, there will be no deal or talks on Wing Commander. On being asked if he is open to meeting Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj on sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) meet. Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi said he will not hesitate to meet but OIC is not the forum for talks with Swaraj.

United States President DonaldTrumpsaid on Thursday there would be some "reasonably decent news" on the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, a day after the two nuclear powers both downed enemy jets and Pakistan captured an Indian pilot.

The U.S., China and other world powers have urged restraint from the two nations as tensions escalate following tit-for-tat airstrikes in the wake of a suicide car bombing that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Feb. 14.

Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire briefly along the contested border in Kashmir on Thursday morning, but speaking at a press conference,Trumpsaid the U.S. had been mediating between the two sides.
Read more

It is choice, not chance that determines a nation’s destiny pic.twitter.com/H9PlYNpyBT

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) February 28, 2019

Top US lawmakers have said that the escalating tension between Pakistan and India is "deeply alarming" and asked the two nuclear-armed countries to settle their differences through negotiations and not war.
Read more

Defence Ministry sources have said that they believe that despite Pakistani claims,the Indian Air Force Pilot was ill treated by the Pakistan Army in violation of the Geneva convention,ANIreported. They also added that they believe that the Pakistan Army is actively supporting the Jaish-e-Mohammed and is harbouring the leaders including Masood Azhar in its facilities

Pakistan has said it will take a few days to decide on whether to give IAF pilot the prisoner of war status or not and added thatCommander AbhinandanVarthaman was safe and healthy in their custody, according toCNN-News.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton has talked to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval for a second time amidst tense ties between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and New Delhi's air strike against JeM terror training camp in Balakot.
Read more

Australia has once again urged India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" and avoid further military action, saying the cycle of escalation is "very dangerous" for all.
Read more

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following with "deep concern" the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, calling on both sides to urgently take steps for a "meaningful mutual engagement".
Read more

According to sources, Indian Army chief,chief of Indian Air Force, and Chief of Indian Navy will address the media at 5 pm to brief them on the situation at the border, a day after an IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan. Meanwhile, the three service chiefs have briefed defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the situation.

The parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will receive a briefing from the MEA on the current situation with Pakistan at its meeting tomorrow afternoon.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 28, 2019

"Cease Fire Violation by Pak along LoC in Krishna Ghati Sector (J&K) 28 Feb 2019 at about 1300 hours, Pak again initiated Unprovoked Cease Fire Violation by Shelling with Mortars & Firing of Small Arms along LoC in Krishna Ghati Sector (J&K). Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively."

"The enemy tries to destabilize us, carries out terror attacks, they want to stop our growth. We all countrymen are standing like a rock to counter their evil designs.We have full faith in our soldiers. We shouldn't do anything that will affect their inner strength. We shouldn't do anything that can be used by our enemies to target us."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to one crore BJP workers on Thursday came under fire from the opposition, who accused him of pursuing a political agenda at a time when clouds of war were hovering over the nation.

READ MORE

"@BSYBJP ji, I beg to differ. We stand as one nation, action taken by our government is to safeguard our nation & ensure safety of our citizens, not to win a few extra seats."

He also added a YouTube link to A B Vajpayee's speech.

At a time when the nation is in dire need ofleadership, Prime Minister Modi, instead of focussing on national security is worried about his party. His address to the BJP booth workers is not only laughable but also playing with the emotions of the nation: Mayawati, BSP chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The Pak officer inspecting the wreckage is the Commanding Officer of 7 Northern Light Infantry: Sources to DH

"Thank you my friends for your concern and wishes. I thank God for his blessings, Abhi is alive, not injured, sound in mind,just look at the way he talked so bravely...a true soldier...we are so proud of him. I am sure all your hands n blessings are on his head, prayers for his safe return, I pray that he does not get tortured, and comes home safe n sound in body and mind. Thank you all for being with us in this hour of need. Wedraw our strengths from your support and energy."

Pakistan suspends operations of Samjhauta Express from Lahore to New Delhi. Indian Railways had said the train will run as scheduled. The train departed from New Delhi station last night with 27 passengers onboard.

Union Cabinet to meet at 6. 30 PM. Cabinet to be briefed on current security scenario post-Pulwama terror attack and India"s action on security as well as a diplomatic front against Pakistan sponsored terror.

NSA Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephonic conversation late last night. Pompeo said that the US supported India’s decision to take action against JeM terror camp on Pakistani soil: Sources to ANI

Author Fatima Bhutto, the granddaughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, on Wednesday asked the Imran Khan government to release an Indian Air Force pilot captured after air combat.

READ MORE

Pakistan violated ceasefire at 6 am today in Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control in Poonch district. Indian Army retaliated effectively. The firing stopped around 7 am.

The Opposition parties on Wednesday chose to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the line of fire on Pulwama terror strike amid a section wanting an all-out attack on the BJP while veteran leader Sharad Pawar cautioning against such a move.

READ MORE

The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in Kashmir.US, UK & France have asked the 15-member United Nations Security Council sanctions committee to subject Maulana Masood Azhar to an arms embargo, global travel ban and asset freeze.

READ MORE

Wing Commander V Abhinandan, who is currently in the custody of Pakistan, is a third-generation officer from a family whose members have served in the Indian armed forces for long. The Wing Commander’s father retired from the Indian Air Force (IAF) as Air Marshal in 2012, and was a highly decorated officer. Read here

Pakistan may boycott the inaugural plenary of the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi as United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invited India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to attend the conclave on Friday as a “guest of honour”. Read here

The chiefs of the armed forces on Wednesday updated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation after Pakistani aircraft violated Indian airspace and an Indian pilot was taken into custody by the neighbouring country, sources said. Read here

That the Pulwama tragedy and the Indian strike on Balakot have altered the political landscape and provided the BJP a leg up ahead of the Lok Sabha polls is now obvious. Read here

Kerala basedSouthern Air and Naval Commands have pulled up their socks in view of theescalating tension between India and Pakistan. Read here

The commercial capital of the country, Mumbai, has been put on a high alert in the wake of escalating tension between India and Pakistan. Read here

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) air strike on terror camps in Pakistan was carried out with caution and no civilian was hurt in it, but the neighbouring country wants to defame India nevertheless.

India has given a befitting reply to the neighbouring country, Singh said and reiterated that Kashmir will always be a part of India and no power in the world can separate it from the country.

Addressing a convention of BJP workers in Bilaspur town of Chhattisgarh, he said, “Two days back, our forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistan, which has been trying to destabilise India”.

Pakistan has violated ceasefire in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors of Poonch.

Deeply pained to hear that one of our #IAF pilots is missing.

I pray for his safe and speedy return.

The nation stands in solidarity with our armed forces.#IndianAirForce

— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) February 27, 2019

NDTVreported that atotal of 47 flights — 25 departures and 22 arrivals — have beencancelled at Delhi airport on Wednesday.

In MEA's press release on India summoning acting high commissioner of Pakistan, it said that India strongly objected to Pakistan’s "vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention". "It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return," it said.

"Regret was expressed at continuing denial by Pakistan’s political and military leadership at the presence of terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control. A dossier was handed over to Pakistan side with specific details of JeM complicity in Pulwama terror attack and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan," the statement said.

MEA: Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force & targeting of Indian militaryposts.India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return.

UK PM Theresa May: UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions b/w India & Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation. We're in regular contact with both countries, urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. We are working closely with international partners including through the UN Security Council to de-escalate tensions and are monitoring developments closely and considering implications for British nationals.

UK is deeply concerned about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. We urgently call for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation pic.twitter.com/CZF83OHFAF

— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) February 27, 2019

Opposition targets @narendramodi for not calling an all party meeting on Pak-related issues. Also express deep anguish over "politicisation of sacrifices" made by armed forces. @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/m6D5wrnCCH

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) February 27, 2019

Congress President Rahul Gandhi after opposition meeting: Leaders condemned Pakistani misadventure & expressed deep concern for safety of our missing pilot. Leaders urged govt to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India's sovereignty, unity & integrity. pic.twitter.com/v5RYquSz0w

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army’s custody. Wing Comd Abhi Nandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics. pic.twitter.com/8IQ5BPhLj2

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 27, 2019

Today’s strike demonstrates our right, will and Capability to defend ourselves. We do not want war. We hope India will come to the table to resolve all outstanding issues.
Pakistan Zindabad. 🇵🇰

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 27, 2019

Pakistan deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah arrivedat South Block after being summoned by Ministry of External Affairs.The Ministry of External Affairs is largely located in South Block.

It was our plan to not cause any collateral damage, and not to cause any casualties.We simply wanted to show capability. Two Indian Migs crossed Pakistan’s Borders, and we shot them down.I want to now address India and say let sanity prevail. #BetterSenseShouldPrevail pic.twitter.com/HsicyaqgUu

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 27, 2019

"I wanted to take the nation into confidence over the developments since yesterday morning. We offered peace to India after what happened in Pulwama. I understand the pain of the families [who lost family members in Pulwama]. I have visited hospitals and seen the pain of people affected by violence. We offered India that we would investigate. We wanted to cooperate and were ready to do so. I feared that India would still take action, and I had therefore warned India against aggression. When India stuck yesterday morning, we spoke to our army command and waited to take action till we assessed the damage caused. Our action was only intended to convey that if you can come into our country, we can do the same. Two of their MiGs were shot down (in the ensuing action). From here, it is imperative that we use our heads and act with wisdom. All wars are miscalculated, and no one knows where they lead to. World War I was supposed to end in weeks, it took six years. Similarly, the war on terrorism was not supposed to last 17 years. I ask India: with the weapons you have and the weapons we have, can we really afford a miscalculation? If this escalates, it will no longer be in my control or in Modi's. We understand the grief that you have suffered in Pulwama and are ready for a probe and dialogue. Let's sit together and settle this with talks," said Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

National Security Advisor Ajit Dovalhas taken charge of the situation, and is briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the latest developments.

#WATCH Raveesh Kumar, MEA: One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. Pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts. pic.twitter.com/Bm0nVChuzF

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

India had informed about Counter-Terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan based on credible evidence that JeM intended to launch more attacks. Against this Counter Terrorism Action, Pakistan has responded this morning by using its Air Force to target military installations on the Indian side. Due to our high state of readiness and alertness, Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully.

The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.

Pakistan has used its Air Force to target military installations on the Indian side, but their attempts were foiled successfully: MEA.

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Wednesday said operations at the nine airports, which were shut earlier in the day, have resumed "as of now".
Read more

After keeping the airspace closed for several hours since morning, civil flight operations in north India are expected to resume soon.

“The NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route) has been withdrawn. Flight operations will resume,” news agency ANI reported without naming the source.

Earlier an Air India official said the airlines was avoiding route of Pakistan air space with immediate effect. India use Pakistan airspace for flights to Gulf countries, Europe and USA.

Websites that track civilian flights around the world show Pakistan airspace is still closed for civilian flights with reports claiming suspension of flights from Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. There are also reports of stopping of flights from Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned India's Acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia and condemned the alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces along the Line of Control which resulted in the killing of four civilians.

Read more

Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Wednesday due to a strike called by separatists to protest the NIA raids at residences of several leaders in connection with investigation into terror funding through hawala channels in the valley.
Read more

Five persons were killed on Wednesday when an IAF helicopter crashed in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Read more

Top security and intelligence officials Wednesday huddled into a meet at the prime minister's office in the wake of Pakistan Air Force jets violating the Indian airspace, sources said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, senior officials of the Indian Navy, Army and the Air Force and other security officials were holding a meeting to discuss the current security situation, they said.

Earlier in the day, a PAF F-16 fighter jet was shot down by Indian air defence forces in Rajouri sector of Jammu region.

The aircraft was brought down in Jhangar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri sector.

The above Notam from Delhi ACC (VIDF) has been removed. SpiceJet SG161 departed Jammu ~15 minutes ago. https://t.co/9UKTF1AOud pic.twitter.com/Y8IVPURBRG

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 27, 2019

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia over alleged ceasefire violations, reportsNews18.

Ministry of External Affairs press conference at 315.

Any confirmation or denial of Pakistan claims are expected from there .

Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that it shot down two Indian military aircraft over Pakistani air space and arrested two pilots.

However, there was no official confirmation from the Indian government.

In a 46-second video released by the Pakistan Army, a blindfolded man claiming that he's IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan.

"I am an IAF officer. My service No is 27981," the man said in the video.

However, the veracity of the video could not be ascertained.
Read more

Pakistan on Wednesday closed its airspace for commercial flights and suspended flight operations across major airports, including in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, for an indefinite period in the wake of the escalating tensions with India.
Read more

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said on Wednesday the group has not issued any press statement about the ongoing clashes between India and Pakistan.
Read more

Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata on Wednesday praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hailed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for carrying out strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camp in Pakistan.
Read more

Visuals of Opposition parties meeting in Parliament premises in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ESqSmLhQyw

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

The entire airspace north of the Indian capital has been vacated, official sources said on Wednesday.

The skies above New Delhi were vacated as nine airports in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab were closed for civilian air traffic on a day of rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Read more

2 IAF pilots arrested. One injured pilot shifted to hospital, other one is safe, says Pakistan Army spokesman.
"I am Wing Commander Abhinandan, I am IAF officer. My service No is 27 981," one pilot says in a video issued by the Pakistan Army.

Air India avoiding route of Pakistan air space with immediate effect. India use Pakistan airspace for flights to Gulf countries, Europe and USA, said an Air India official

Srinagar, Jammu and Leh airports were among five airports closed on Wednesday for civilian air traffic shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Kashmir's Budgam district, officials said.

Read More

Joint Communique of the 16th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russia-India-Chinahttps://t.co/cj4uuQ7bps pic.twitter.com/u8BJ92rTtp

— Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) February 27, 2019

China on Wednesday said that Pakistan had always been opposed to terrorism. Beijing endorsed the credential of Islamabad in opposing terrorism just a day after India carried out an air-strike on the biggest training camp of the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) inside Pakistan.

Read More

Sources: International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing.

Punjab: Passengers stranded as flight operations at Amritsar airport have been suspended. pic.twitter.com/fQEtEEqZZh

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

The aircraft that crashed in Jammu & Kashmir's Budgam was IAF's Mi-17 transport chopper: ANI reports

Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan's MoFA spokesperson: PAF undertook strikes across LoC from Pakistani airspace. Sole purpose of this action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We do not wish to escalate but are fully prepared if forced into that paradigm.

Pakistan immediately stops its domestic and international flight operations from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviews the security situation across the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. He was briefed about the latest anti-terror operations as well as the situation on the border. The meeting was attended by NSA Ajit Doval among others

Despite repeated requests since early morning neither the Defence Ministry nor the Indian Air Force hasn't spoken a word about Pakistan's claims of PAF fighters entering Indian air space and shooting down an IAF plane and capturing an Indian pilot

Pakistan Air Force's F-16 that violated Indian air space shot down in Indian retaliatory fire 3KM within Pakistan territory in Lam valley, Nowshera sector. Parachute seen as Pakistan Air Force's F-16 was going down, condition of the pilot is unknown

In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 27, 2019

China's Foreign Min: Russia, China&India reaffirmed strong opposition to terrorism. At same time we (China) believe Pakistan has always been opposed to terrorism. China appreciates statements from Indian&Pak friends saying they'll exercise restraint&avoid escalation of situation. pic.twitter.com/5eTQHU16L0

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

Srinagar, Jammu and Leh airports were on Wednesday closed for civilian air traffic shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Budgam district and amid escalation of cross-Line of Control shelling between armies of India and Pakistan.

"The civilian air traffic has been suspended temporarily in view of the emergency," an official of the Airport Authority of India told PTI.

While the official did not specify the nature of the emergency, it is believed the step was taken in view of an IAF jet crashing in Budgam district this morning.

Jammu and Leh airports have also been closed for civilian traffic.

The flare up in the cross-LoC shelling, which was initiated by Pakistani troops in early hours of Wednesday has also resulted in security forces and other establishments being put on a heightened alert.

SSP Budgam on military aircraft crash: IAF's technical team will arrive and ascertain facts. Till now, we have found two bodies. pic.twitter.com/vk8K5c3Cbn

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

#SpotVisuals: Police on military aircraft crash in Jammu & Kashmir's Budgam, say, "Two bodies have been found at the crash site." pic.twitter.com/Tg2uFeJjdW

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

Pakistani fighter jets Wednesday violated Indian air space in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district but were pushed back by Indian aircraft, a top official said.

Read More

Two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)militants were killed on Wednesday inan encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Read More

Pakistani troops on Wednesday intensely shelled Indian posts in Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Read More

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba to meet shortly today over important proposals for the Armed forces. ANI reports

India wants to avoid any "further escalation of the situation" after conducting air strikes against militant camps in Pakistan territory, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.

Read More

US Secy of State issues statement in the light of strike by Indian Air Force in Balakot;states,"I spoke to Pak Foreign Min to underscore priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action&urgency of Pak taking action against terror groups operating on its soil pic.twitter.com/ac5nFKf8nw

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" on Tuesday amid soaring tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries, while urging Islamabad to take action against militants.

Read More

Jammu & Kashmir: Visuals from Memander area of Shopian district where an encounter had started earlier today. Firing has stopped now. Search operation is underway. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/ZXhPpmDHLJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

Sushma Swaraj: It wasn't a military op, no military installation targeted. The objective was to act against the terrorist infrastructure of JeM to preempt another terror attack in India. India doesn't wish to see a further escalation of the situation. It'll continue to act with responsibility and restraint.

Sushma Swaraj:In the light of the continuing refusal of Pak to acknowledge andact against terror groups on its territory andbased on credible info that JeM was planning other attacks in parts of India, GoI decided to take preemptive action and target was selected in order to avoid civilian casualties.

Sushma Swaraj: Following the Pulwama terrorist attack instead of taking seriously the calls by the international community to act against Jaish-e-Mohammed&other terror groups based in Pakistan, it denied any knowledge of the attack & outrightly dismissed claims by Jaish-e-Mohammed.

EAM Sushma Swaraj in Wuzhen, China: Such dastardly terrorist attacks are a grim reminder for the need of all the countries to show zero tolerance to terrorism and take decisive action against it.

Sushma Swaraj: We're aware of the recent dastardly terrorist attack on our security forces in Pulwama, J&K perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan based & supported terrorist organization proscribed by UN & other countries. We lost over CRPF 40 personnel while several others are injured seriously.

EAM Sushma Swaraj: It is important to both sides to ensure thorough and effective implementation of the guidance given by our leaders. Both sides have made good efforts in this regard & we should sustain this effort.

EAM Sushma Swaraj in Wuzhen, China: India-China relations, as you said, is an important relationship for both of our countries. We have made substantial progress in our relations since the informal summit between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping in Wuhan in April 2018.

#WATCH China: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meets her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Wuzhen. pic.twitter.com/RDLfXz6cqV

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

China: EAM Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Wuzhen. She will attend 16th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC) here. She will also hold bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, besides the Chinese Foreign Minister. pic.twitter.com/PFSN24xkDC

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday raised the recent Pulwama suicide attack on the CRPF soldiers in her bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here, a day after India destroyed a major terror training camp in Pakistan.

Read More

Apologies for being late, was busy with some work, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the audience at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday soon after getting a brief on the airstrikes carried out by the Air Force in Balakot in Pakistan. Read here

#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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday briefed Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on the scale and effectiveness of the IAF's preemptive air strikes on terror camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammed across the Line of Control in Pakistan, sources said.
Read more

Arun Jaitley, D Raja, Praful Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Derek O'Brien, Vijay Goel, Rajnath Singh, Sitaram Yechury have arrived.

As war clouds loom large, the armies of India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, triggering panic among the residents.
Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was up all night as he monitored the Indian Air Force operation to destroy a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Pakistan, relaxing only after all the pilots returned safely home, government sources said on Tuesday.

Read more

"I called you [journalists] so I could take you there [to the site] and show you on ground reality but unfortunately, I cannot take you by air due to rough weather. But the local media is there and have shown that there was not even a single brick there. They are claiming that they killed 350 terrorists; I say even if they had killed 10, what about their bodies, their funerals, their blood [...] the spot is open for anybody and everybody: for ambassadors, defence attaches, UN military observer group in Pakistan. Even the civilian population or army representatives from India can come through the authorised entry points in Pakistan. See it for yourself and go back and tell your prime minister. A lie has no feet to stand on. You saw their first 'surgical strike'. I told them [India] that you will never be able to surprise us. We have not been surprised. We were ready, we responded. I said that we will surprise you. Wait for that surprise. I said that our response will be different. The response will come differently. We are a democracy. You have proved that you are not a democracy. You have chosen a path of war without knowing the consequence for the peace and stability of the region. We have fought for 50 years for this peace. There is a joint session of the parliament tomorrow and then the prime minister has summoned a meeting of the National Command Authority [country's top nuclear body]. I hope you know what the NCA means and what it constitutes. Today, the prime minister has asked everyone to get ready for every eventuality. We are all ready. Now it's time for India to wait for our response. The response will come at a point and time of our choosing, when our civil-military leadership decides, and as a matter of fact, has decided,"said the ISPR DG.

"If they had struck any military position, then an engagement would have happened. But they did not do that because if they had done so, our soldiers were ready. India's purpose is not that — Modi's government, even when it violates ceasefire violations in Azad Kashmir, deliberately targets civil population. Had they struck the military last night, then uniformed personnel would have been martyred and it would not have served their purpose. They wanted to target a place where civilians could have died, so they could claim that they targeted a terrorist camp. This would have benefited their war mongering and politics. They entered from Kashmir's Tangdhar — they were timely and effectively challenged, and repulsed by the Air Force. On their way back, they jettisoned their payload. Four of their bombs fell in [Balakot's] Jabba and they went back.The ground troops' job is to ascertain if anything has fallen or not. When they [Indian aircraft] went back, we checked through our line of communication and found that there were no strikes"said the ISPR DG.

"Allah almighty is the greatest and we should not make tall claims, but come and try to spend 21 minutes in Pakistani airspace According to war methodology, our entire Air Force could not have stayed airborne. Our safeguards on land were in place. So if they had tried an on-ground incursion, they would have met the response that we had planned. Last night, our radars were observing them. They had earlier come closer to our border but did not cross it. Last night, their first visibility was observed near the Sialkot and Lahore border. They were seen approaching the border. Our Combat Air Patrol (CAP) team approached and challenged them. They did not cross. As per the SOP (standard operating procedure), when the first team got committed there, the next CAP team automatically was airborne. During this, another one of their formation was picked in Bahawalpur sector. The second standby team went down south and challenged it. We then observed that the more heavier of their teams was approaching Muzaffarabad sector from Kiran Valley. When our third CAP team challenged them, they had crossed the LoC. Their approaching of the border, the challenge and their return took four minutes," said the ISPR DG.

With India waking up to news of the Indian Air Force bombing JeM terror camps at Balakot in Pakistan in the early hours of February 26, multiple news channels have broadcasted a video, purported to be of IAF jets inside Pakistani territory.
Read more

Amit Shah, BJP President at a public rally in Ghazipur: Surgical strikes after Uri and now air strikes in self-defence, both have given the message to the world that for the security of the country, India's soldiers and government can go to any extent.

#WATCH Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says, "...Voices from within (within India) have started to emanate. The statement by Mehbooba Mufti is before you, that the story being presented is the opposite of reality." (Courtesy: Pakistan's PTV News) pic.twitter.com/y6VE7SVCaB

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019

Pakistan has a long history of harbouring terrorists and America should not give Islamabad even a dollar until it corrects its behaviour, Indian-American former US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley has said as she praised the Trump administration for wisely restricting financial assistance to the country.
Read more

#WATCH Chhattisgarh: ASI GD Ratnakar,211-BN CRPF on IAF strike at JeM camp in Balakot: Jawans are celebrating,they (Pak) have been given a befitting reply,but souls of 40 jawans isn't at peace yet,their souls will rest in peace only after mastermind of #PulwamaAttack is killed... pic.twitter.com/PkrEZm8ByO

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019

As reports about Indian Air Force (IAF) carrying out a pre-dawn strike on a militant camp across the LoC trickled, health authorities in Kashmir cancelled all the leaves of doctors.
Read more

1. What happened?

2. How did it happen?
3. Why did India conduct air strikes?
4. Howdid Pakistan Government react?
5. Is there proof that the strikes happened?
6. How did India react?

Click here to know more

Pakistan will turn into a graveyard if it dared to retaliate against air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said on Tuesday.
Read more

Any retaliation by Pakistan to India's air strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camp in that country will prove that it provides shelter to terrorists, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday.
Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made an indirect reference to the air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on terror camps across the LoC when he sought an apology from the audience at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for being late as he was "busy" with "some other work".
Read more

Hundreds of Fidayeen and their trainers were shifted from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to a five-star, resort-style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, providing Indian forces with "a sitting duck target" when they carried out an air strike early on Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists, sources said.

Read more

TheBalakot-based Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) terror camp destroyed by the Indian Air Force(IAF) Tuesday was used for "battle inoculation" and its trainers were retired officers of the Pakistan Army, government sources said.
Read more

Residents in the quake-prone Balakot town in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday said they were woken by "loud explosions" and thought a fresh tremor must have hit the region when Indian Air Force jets pounded a large terror training camp.
Read more

#IndianAirForce ने पाकिस्तान के जिस बालाकोट पर हमला किया वहां के लोग क्या बोले?

वीडियो: एम.ए. जर्राल pic.twitter.com/1xSCEp1koU

— BBC News Hindi (@BBCHindi) February 26, 2019

A fleet of Mirage 2000 deep-penetration fighter jets assisted by other assets of the Indian Air Force carried out the pre-dawn strike on the biggest terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit in Pakistan, government sources said.
Read more

Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected India's claim of targeting terrorist camp in the country and causing heavy casualties even as it vowed to respond "at the time and place of its choosing" and raise the issue at the United Nations and other international forums.
Read more

Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) after a meeting chaired by Pakistan PM Imran Khan today: India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Guwahati, Assam: We remember Maneshwar Basumatary (native of Assam) who was a martyr in Pulwama attack and we congratulate the pilots of the Air Force.

Key Jaish e Mohammed terrorists targeted in today’s air strikes: Mufti Azhar Khan Kashmiri, head of Kashmir operations(pic 1) and Ibrahim Azhar(pic 2), the elder brother of Masood Azhar who was also involved in the IC-814 hijacking pic.twitter.com/IUv1njNygA

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019

Key Jaish e Mohammed operatives targeted in today’s air strikes: Maulana Ammar(in pic 1, associated with Afghanistan and Kashmir ops) and Maulana Talha Saif(pic 2), brother of Maulana Masood Azhar and head of preparation wing pic.twitter.com/rkEyCqvMJg

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019

Besides the Foreign diplomats from the USA, UK, Russia, Australia,Indonesia,Turkey and six Asean nations, Chinese diplomat was also briefed on the Indian Air Force strike in Balakot by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

In his first public comments after the air strikes in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the country is in safe hands and that he will not let the country down.

The prime minister stressed that nothing was above the nation.

"Today is a day to pay homage to India's bravehearts. I want to assure you that the country is in safe hands," he said at a public rally here.

"I vow that I will not let the country bow down," he said.

In a swift and precise air strike following the Pulwama attack, India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders. The operation, described as a non-military, preemptive strike, was welcomed by the entire political spectrum and military experts who had been advocating retribution after the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama claimed by JeM.

Hours after the Indian Air Force hit terror camps inside Pakistan, the Army on Tuesday 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".
Read more

Sources tell ANI: This was an intelligence-based counter terror strike not a military action for sake of war. Have demolished entire terror set up in the suicide bombing training centre in Balakot, and over 300 terrorists were eliminated in the covert operation by Indian Air Force

Today I repeat what I said back in 2014 - 'Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki main desh nahi mitne doonga, main desh nahi rukne doonga. Main desh nahi jhukne doonga....Mera vachan hai Bharat maa ko, tera sheesh nahi jhukne doonga...The smell of the land of the nation is dear to me. I will not let it be destroyed. I will not let it be stopped. I will not let it be insulted. My promise to mother India is that I will not let her bow down. '

PM Narendra Modi says "assure you, country is in safe hands" at Rajasthan rally hours after India strikes Jaish terror camp in Balakot.

I congratulate and salute the bravery and valour of our armed forces. Today’s action further demonstrates that India is safe and secure under the strong & decisive leadership of PM @narendramodi, says @BJP4India president @AmitShah @DeccanHerald
.

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) February 26, 2019

Pakistani villagers in the area where Indian jets struck what officials in New Delhi said was a militant training camp said they heard four loud bangs in the early hours of Tuesday but reported only one person wounded by bomb shards.

READ MORE

People's Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday said the air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on terror camps in Pakistan will set a benchmark for deterrence and eventually end the cycle of violence.
Read more

The Pulwama terror attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN are expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday.
Read more

Statement by Foreign Secretary on the Strike on JeM training camp at Balakothttps://t.co/0G0R5WhOeB pic.twitter.com/nyzUNiOkzB

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2019

PakistanForeign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Tuesday that "better sense" should prevail in India after Indian jets crossed intoPakistanand carried out what one Indian minister called an airstrike on militant terror camps.

Qureshi warned India not to challengePakistanand said "better sense should prevail in India", according to a statement cited by state-runRadioPakistan.

"The Foreign Minister said the nation should not be worried over the Indian act as the defenders of the country are fully prepared to respond to any misadventure,"RadioPakistanadded on its website.

An Indian airstrike in Pakistani territory killed 300 suspected militants, a senior Indian government source told Reuters.

Thestrikes on a training camp run by a Pakistani-based militant group have dramatically escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought three wars against each other.

"We've always said that whatever action the forces take for protection of this nation, all of us will support them in unity, they are taking action against the terrorists in Pakistan. I congratulate them."

"My compliment goes to the government for taking this action and also to the Air Force for the way they have carried out this strike (in Balakot) in an absolutely professional manner. All pilots are safe. I think it needed to be done. I personally had no doubt in my mind after Pulwama attack that some strong action will be taken by the government."

He said credible intelligence was received that the JeM was planning to carry out other suicide attacks in India after the Pulwama bombing on a CRPF convoy 12 days ago that killed 40 jawans.

READ MORE

#TamilNadu Chief Minister #EdappadiPalanisamy congratulates Prime Minister #NarendraModi for the #SurgicalStrike2 #SurgicalStrikes | @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/GAA9HHvhhc

— Sivapriyan E.T.B. (@sivaetb) February 26, 2019

.@SushmaSwaraj to brief party leaders at 5 PM Tuesday on air strike targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across Line of Control. Opposition leaders receive invite from govt @DeccanHerald

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) February 26, 2019

Statement by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhle on 26 February 2019 on the Strike on JeM training camp at Balakot.

READ MORE

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: India struck biggest terror camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad at Balakote run by Maulana Yusuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.FS Vijay Non-military pre-emptive strike was necessary as Jaish was planning another terror strike in India.In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander & Jihadis were eliminated.

IAF also means India's Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 26, 2019

Hail the efforts of Indian Air Force.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 26, 2019

Air strikes in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region were based on locations provided by on ground intelligence sources.

Pakistani F16s were scrambled to retaliate against IAF Mirage 2000s but turned back due to size of Indian formation. Western Air Command coordinated operation, ANI quotes Sources

Amid reports of IAF strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) poured in, all the vital security installations across Jammu and Kashmir were put on high alert.

READ MORE

Cutting across party lines, political leaders on Tuesday lauded the Indian Air Force for carrying out air strikes at terror targets inside Pakistan.

Read more

As reports about IAF carrying out a pre-dawn strike on a militant camp across the LoC trickled, the NIA on Tuesday raided the Maisuma residence of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, in Srinagar.

ये मोदी का हिंदुस्तान है, घर में घुसेगा भी और मारेगा भी,
Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC and Completely destroyed it
एक एक क़तरा ख़ून का हिसाब होगा !ये तो एक शुरुआत है .. ये देश नहीं झुकने दूंगा...#Balakot #Surgicalstrike2 pic.twitter.com/fqYJgWxuqX

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) February 26, 2019

"Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC (Line of Control) and Completely destroyed it," minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Twitter.

READ MORE

"If this is Balakote in KPK it’s a major incursion & a significant strike by IAF planes. However, if it’s Balakote in Poonch sector, along the LoC it’s a largely symbolic strike because at this time of the year forward launch pads & militant camps are empty & non-functional.Unless we know which Balakote is being talked about by the Pakistani generals it’s pointless speculating about what we may have hit & what fallout the airstrike will have."

"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."

🇮🇳 I salute the pilots of the IAF. 🇮🇳

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 26, 2019

Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad terror launch pads across the LOC completely destroyed in IAF air strikes. JeM control rooms also destroyed, ANI quotes sources.

Is there a surgical air strike on a major Jaish terror camp in Pakistan occupied Kashmir early in the morning on Tuesday to avenge the Pulwama massacre?

READ MORE

12 Mirage 2000 jets took part in the operation that dropped 1000 Kg bombs on terror camps across LOC, completely destroying it,IAF Sources to ANI

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

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

The Pakistan Army on Tuesday alleged that the Indian Air Force violated the Line of Control (LoC) in Muzafarabad sector.

READ MORE