The Balakot airstrike, which was executed in response to the heinous Pulwama attack that killed 46 Central Reserve Police Force personnel as well as the perpetrator, commemorates its fourth anniversary on February 26, 2023
On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force carried out a bombing strike in Pakistan's Balakot area targeting Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed, in an effort to avenge the killings of CRPF jawans in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.
The airstrike was carried out to eliminate the terrorist training camp and to send a strong message to Pakistan against supporting and harboring terrorists
The airstrike was considered a significant achievement for India and was widely praised by the international community for its precision and effectiveness. Today, on the fourth anniversary of the Balakot airstrike, India remembers the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack and honors the valiant efforts of the Indian Air Force in protecting the country's sovereignty and integrity
What happened during Balakot airstrike?
The Indian Air Force used a group of Mirage 2000 fighter jets armed with laser-guided bombs to carry out the airstrike. The jets crossed the Line of Control, which is the de facto border between India and Pakistan, and dropped the bombs on the terrorist training camp in Balakot. The camp was believed to be one of the main training centers of JeM.
The airstrike was carried out with high precision, and it caused significant damage to the terrorist camp, killing a large number of militants and trainers. The Indian government claimed that the airstrike was a preemptive strike to prevent another terrorist attack from JeM, and that it was carried out in self-defense.
The Balakot airstrike was a significant event because it was the first time since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War that the Indian Air Force had crossed the LoC to conduct an airstrike in Pakistan,, It also demonstrated India's willingness to take military action against terrorist groups operating from Pakistani soil,, However, the airstrike also raised concerns about the potential for a larger conflict between India and Pakistan, which both possess nuclear weapons. While India hailed the airstrike as a successful retaliation against terrorism, Pakistan denied that any terrorist camp was destroyed, and criticized India's violation of its sovereignty.
