IAF bombs Jaish terror camps across LoC, Pakistan says its territory violated, 'reserves right to retaliate'

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed terror camps across Line of Control (LoC) at around 3.30 am.

The IAF Jets struck at around 3.30 am, destroying the camps of Jaish-e-Muhammad, said sources.

The government called it a preemptive strike, maintaining that civilians were not hit and it led to killing of terrorists.

The Ministery of  External Affairs (MEA) said that Pakistan had not acted on the terror camps located across the Line of Control and in the wake of Pulwama attack, India took action.

"Jaish has been responsible for series of strikes in India, over the years. Information regarding the location of such camps in Pakistan and PoK have been provided to Pakistan. Such camps couldn't have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistani authorities", said the MEA secretary in a briefing to media. 

"Credible intelligence was received that Jaish was planning more attacks and hence preemptive strike became necessary. India struck the biggest training camp in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of Jaish terrorists, trainers, commanders were eliminated", he further said.

"This non-military preemptive action specifically targeted Jaish camp", he added. The strikes have come barely weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 44 personnel were killed in Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistani defence establishment remained in dark and failed to anticipate or detect the operation.

However, after the strike, Pakistan has termed it a violation of Pakistan's territory and has vowed to retaliate. PM Imran Khan has called a meeting of security and defence establishment in the wake of the IAF action.