Sources told MyNation that the IAF coordinated the attack with the help of other security and intelligence agencies after getting a go-ahead from the government about 7-10 days ahead of the strike
New Delhi: To avenge the deaths of 40 CRPF men who were killed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in Pulwama, 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed terror facilities at Balakot in Pakistan during the intervening night of February 25-26.
A group of 12 Mirage-2000 aircraft carried out the attack on Pakistani camps across the LoC at 3:30 am and struck major terrorist camps.
Sources told MyNation that the IAF coordinated the attack with the help of other security and intelligence agencies after getting a go-ahead from the government about 7-10 days ahead of the strike.
The IAF conducted the surveillance using Heron drone to identity and confirm the whereabouts of the terror camps in Pakistan. Ground assistance was given by Indian deep assets in Pakistan, who provided intelligence inputs.
A detailed map was drawn after confirming their location and it is believed that close to 300 terrorists, commanders and trainers have been neutralised.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was closely monitoring the plan and action.
The 12 Mirage-2000s took off from Bareilly and Agra used for launching attacks.
Attacks were carried out in Khyber Pakhtunwa province of Pakistan. Control rooms of JeM at Balakot, Chakoti, Mujhafarabaad, including the pads, were reportedly destroyed. Yasuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar, was running the terror facility at Balakot, and was grounded in the strike.
The Saab-Ericsson airborne surveillance system of Pakistan detected the Indian fighter jets, but seeing the enormity of it, they retreated to avoid further damage.
Reacting to India's operation inside Pakistani's Army spokesperson confirmed the IAF jets' entry into their airspace releasing payloads, but denied any damage.
But sources in the IAF confirmed that heavy damage was caused to Pakistani terror camps killing around 300. Mirages have recorded the entire action through their pods, whichthe government may release if needed.
Post the strike, Indian air defence systems are on high alert along the international border and as well as the line of control with Pakistan in anticipation of a retaliatory strike by Pakistan.
Israeli and indigenous AWACS have been keeping an eye on Pakistani airbases for any action by the Pakistan Air Force.
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