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# The IAF struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot on February 26
# 12 IAF Mirage 2000 jets were reportedly used in the operation
# Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held a briefing
# The targetted terror camp was headed by Yusuf Azhar -- brother-in-law of Masood Azhar
# The target was selected so as to avoid civilian casualties
# Large number of terrorists, JeM's senior commanders were eliminated
# Political leaders in India, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, have praised the strikes
# PM Modi held a high-level security meeting and has briefed the President and the Vice President
# Pakistan has claimed that the IAF jets violated the Line of Control (LoC)
# It is violation of ceasefire. We will give a befitting reply: Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
# Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, currently held captive by Pakistan, will be released tomorrow. The announcement was made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of the government are meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) jets on the night of February 25-26 crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and carried out limited strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp.
A ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army was also reported in the Gulpur sector of Poonch late night on February 25. The Indian Army also reportedly retaliated. The firing started at around midnight and stopped at around 2.00 am. No casualties were reported. However, it is unclear if the incidents are related.
Committed to avoid civilian casualties: Indian Army
In a statement, the Indian Army has stated that post its warning to Pakistan Army not to target civilian areas, the overall situation along LoCremains relatively calm. According to the statement, Pakistan Army resorted to "intense and unprovoked" firing with "heavy caliber weapons" in areas of Krishna Ghati and Sunderbani. The Indian Army is committed to avoiding civilian casualties, and "all actions taken by our defence forces are targettedtowards counter-terrorism and terrorist infrastructure, away from civilian areas", the statement said, adding that there have been no casualties on the Indian side.
Pakistan violated ceasefire in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district early this morning.
Statement by the Indian Air Force
On 27 Feb 2019 morning, our Air Defence system was on full alert. A build-up of PAF aircraft on their (Pakistan) side of the 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, Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft were involved in the engagement. PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in hurry, which is evident from large missed distances of weapons dropped by them.
During combat, theuse 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 themissile fell in thearea east of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on ground.
A detailed report in this regard has already been released by IAF. All the Su-30 aircraft engaged in combat landed back safely. The false claim by Pakistan of shooting down a Su-30, appears to be a cover-up for loss of its own aircraft.
– ANI
The acting Indian High Commissioner was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today by Dr Mohammad Faisal, Director General South Asia & SAARC and the following was conveyed: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India will be returning to New Delhi, after completion of consultations in Islamabad. The Pakistan delegation will visit New Delhi on March 14, 2019, followed by the return visit of the Indian delegation to Islamabad on March 28, 2019, to discuss the draft agreement on Kartarpur corridor.
– CNN News18
After India confirms Kartapur talks on track, Pakistan says its delegation will be visiting India on March 14 for the talks; High Commissioner to India will be returning to New Delhi after completion of consultations in Islamabad, CNN News 18 has reported.
NSA Ajit Doval speaks to US counterpart John Bolton on the issue of air strikes on Pakistan. The US has agreed with the Indian stand and also wants terror camps to be removed. The US has assured full cooperation to India, CNN News 18 has reported.
An Army jawanhas ben injured in ceasefire violation at Kalal Forward Post in Nowshera sector, Jammu and Kashmir; CNN News18has reported. He has been shifted to 166 Army hospital Satwari, Jammu. Firing is going on in Noweshara. This is the fourth ceasefire violation today.
JUST IN | Top Pakistan government sources have told CNN News 18 that JeM chief Masood Azhar is likely to be arrested. Orders expected to be signed by Prime Minister Imran Khan later today evening.
Pakistan Supreme Court
bars private channels from airing Indian films, TV shows
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday barred private channels from airing Indian films and television shows, amid escalating tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama terror attack.
Pakistan Minister Sherhiyar Afridi and Home Secretary said at a
press briefing: Pakistan arrested 44 people belonging to different banned organizations. Mufti Abdul Rauf and Hamad Azhar also arrested. Hamad Azhar is the brother of Masood Azhar. Both names were included in the Indian dossier.
"We have told them (Pakistan), if they don't improve, they know what will happen to them,"PM Modi has said at a rally in Dhar, MadhyaPradesh.
India gave a befitting reply by entering terrorists’ den: PM Modi
: PM Modi has said at a rally in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh
One Congress leader has said that the Pulwama terror attack was an “accident”. This shows the mentality of Congress leaders. Congress leaders are finding peace lovers in these terrorists
India has shared with US evidence of use of F-16 jet by Pakistan during retaliatory aerial combat, official sources have told news agency PTI.
Pakistan violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector,Rajouri district at 11.30 amtoday.
Two militants have been killed in the Tral encounter. Search operation are going on.
One militant killed in Tral encounter so far. The operation is still going on.
US trying to find common ground between India and Pakistan: Pompeo
The United States is trying to find a common ground between India and Pakistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said, describing Kashmir as a long-standing battle between the two South Asian neighbours. (PTI)
Just In |
Encounter on between militants and security forces at Reshipora Tral in Pulwama, News18 has reported. Cordon and search operation underway.
JeM chief Masood Azhar alive: Pak Punjab Minister for Information and Culture
The Provincial Minister of Information and Culture for Pakistani Punjab, Fayyaz Ul Hassan Chohan, has said that JeMchief Masood Azhar is alive. Rumours and speculations regarding the death of the terror outfit's leader were doing the rounds since yesterday.
Congress’ RPN Singh: The way the Indian Air Force (IAF) has given a befitting reply to Pakistan is beyond words. We never raised fingers against our jawans. We stand with them. BJP President (Amit Shah) is playing politics over it. He (Amit Shah) is saying that 250 terrorists were killed. Different numbers are being given by various BJP leaders. Why is the prime minister not coming clear on it?
US has sought information on Pakistan's potential misuse of the F-16 fighter jets, news agency PTI has reported.
"We have got pieces of [Pakistan's] F-16 which we have shown,"Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoahas said.
IAF is not in a positionto clarify the number of casualties. The government will clarify that. We do not count human casualties, we count what targets we have hit or not: Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa
Rafale is likely to be inducted in the month of September (2019): Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa
If we had dropped bombs in the jungle, why would they respond: Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa's reaction to question askedaboutthe effectiveness of IAF’s air strike against JeM’s Balakot terror camp.
Responding to a question on why the MiG-21 Bison was used against Pakistan’s F-16, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa has said that “MiG-21 Bison is capable, it has been upgraded, it has a better weapons system and a better radar. It is an upgraded aircraft.”
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa on Abhinandan returning to flying fighter jets: Does he (Abhinandan) fly again or not, depends on his medical fitness.
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is taking questions at a press conference in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Not worthy of Nobel Peace Prize, says Pakistani PM Imran Khan
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sad that he is “not worthy” of the Nobel Peace Prize.
“I am not worthy of the Nobel Peace prize. The person worthy of this would be the one who solves the Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and paves the way for peace and human development in the subcontinent,” Khan tweeted today morning.
Earlier, a resolution was submitted in the Pakistan Parliament to endorse Khan for the prestigious prize.
Punjab state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has tweeted:
"300 terrorist dead, Yes or No? What was the purpose then? Were you uprooting terrorist or trees? Was it an election gimmick? Deceit possesses our land in guise of fighting a foreign enemy. Stop politicising the army, it is as sacred as the state."
Pakistan violated ceasefire in Akhnoor sector at 3.00 am today. The Indian Army retaliated effectively. Firing stopped at 6.30 am, ANI has reported.
Pakistan may soon take 'action' against Masood Azhar: PTI report
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 yesterday that Islamabad may even withdraw its opposition to the move to list him as global terrorist in the UN Security Council.
"The government has decided in principle to launch crackdown on the leadership of the JeM (Azhar)," the source told news agency PTI. He said the action against JeM in the country is "expected any time soon".
"In order to de-escalate the tensions between India and Pakistan, the Imran Khan government has planned action against the JeM," the source said.
"This will be another significant move of the Imran Khan government to de-escalate tensions after handing over the captured Indian pilot to his country," he said. (PTI)
Arun Jaitley attacks Congress, Opposition; says they have a “lot to learn”
Union Minister Arun Jaitley today lashed out at the Congress for “creating a divide in India’s political opinion.”
Referring to pre-emptive air strike by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on a JeM terror camp in Balakot, Jaitley said, “whole of India was speaking in one voice. Public opinion overwhelmingly supported the Government’s decision and the Air Force’s execution.”
“However, like its other friends in the Opposition, the Congress Party refuses to learn. After initial show of support for our Air Force, it tried to create a divide in India’s political opinion. From the Congress and its friends, we have witnessed three recent statements,” Jaitley said.
Jaitley also said in a blog post: “In a meeting of the 21 Opposition Parties, a resolution was passed, accusing the Prime Minister of politicizing the Pulwama and Balakot incidents. The Government had twice taken the Leaders of Opposition parties into confidence. No evidence of politicization was given. The statement was inappropriate. It gave a handle to the enemy.”
"Now India doesn't sit quieton the martyrdom of its soldiers... it takes revenge of it," says PM Modiat a rally in Patna.
PM Modi in Patna:
When our forces are handling situations atborder... at this time what are some people inside our country doing? When they need to condemn terrorism together, 21 parties came together to pass a resolution against it. No one will forgive them for that. Earlier, they used to ask evidence forsurgicalstrike, now they have started asking evidence forairstrike. Why do they want to discourage our armed forces?
Entire country stands with families of martyrs: PM Modi
The entire country is standing with the families of the martyrs, says PM NarendraModiat a rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan. Earlier, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had congratulatedPM Modiand the government "who forced Pakistan to release Wing Commander Abhinandan".
Handwara encounter update:
Two terrorists have been killed. Five security personnel have lost their lives in the encounter which has been going on for the last three days. The operation is still in progress, ANI has reported.
NEWS FLASH:
One more CRPF personnel has succumbed to injuries sustained yesterday during the encounter in Handwara, news agency ANI has reported.
PM Modi solely responsible for delay in arrival of Rafale jets: Congress
The Congress yesterday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the country witnessed his "monologue, fake bravado and narcissistic lies", as Rahul Gandhi accused him of being "solely responsible" for the delay in arrival of Rafale jets.
"Dear PM, Have you no shame at all? YOU stole 30,000 Crore and gave it to your friend Anil. YOU are solely responsible for the delay in the arrival of the RAFALE jets.
"YOU are WHY brave IAF pilots like Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, are risking their lives flying outdated jets," Gandhi said on Twitter.
The response came after PM Modi said the country was feeling the absence of Rafale and results would have been different if India had the fighter jets as he attacked the Congress for its tirade against his government over the aircraft deal. (PTI)
AbhinandanVarthaman is mentally strong and remains in high spirits despite the mental harassment he suffered in Pakistan, official sources told PTI.
ISI Colonel Salim Qari and Jaish trainer Maulana Moin killed in Balakot airstrike, reports News18.
School children pose as they celebrate the release of IAFpilot Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan, during a ceremony inside a school in Ahmedabad. (Image: Reuters)
