Jaish Camp Hit In 90-Second Op, Jets Returned Without A Scratch: Sources

Indian Air Force jets dropped bombs on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). (File Photo)

Highlights

12 Mirage 2000 jets dropped 1,000 kg laser-guided bombs on the targets
The entire operation took place within one and a half minute: Sources
This is the first time IAF jets have crossed Line of Control since 1971

New Delhi: In a massive "non-military, pre-emptive" strike by the Indian Air Force across the Line of Control, a major terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed was destroyed and over 300 terrorists were killed. The camp was managed by Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar's brother-in-law Yousuf Azhar, who was also killed, according to sources. India carried out the pre-dawn air strike two weeks after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist blew up explosives next to a security convoy in Pulwama in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.

Here is what we know about the strike:

Over 300 terrorists were killed in the Air Force strike at Balakot in Imran Khan's Khyberpakhtunkhwa province, around 80 km from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) near Abbotabad, where Al Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden was killed by covert US forces in 2011.
Twelve Indian Air Force Mirage 2000-5 IN fighter jets crossed the Line of Control around 3.30 am and dropped 1,000 kg laser-guided bombs on the vast facility where terrorists were being trained for strikes in India.
The Mirage jets took off from Gwalior. Sources say four Sukhoi-30MKIs flew from Halwara, air-refuelling tankers, Netra airborne warning aircraft and Phalcon airborne warning aircraft were also deployed.
The Mirages dropped Israel-manufactured Spice/Crystal Maze long-range bombs that flattened the facility at Balakot. Pakistan tried to scramble F-16s but was unable to engage the Indian jets.
There were six hits on the facility, which is located in thick forests, on a hilltop.
The entire operation took place within one-and-a-half minute, say sources, adding that all the planes came back "without a scratch".
This was the biggest Jaish training camp in Pakistan and was led by Yousuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar. It was the "heart of training for suicide bombers".
The government said the target was identified by Indian intelligence and was far away from any civilian presence.
The government says that there were credible inputs of the Jaish-e-Mohammed planning more suicide attacks and training its fidayeen terrorists in this camp.
This is the first time Indian Air Force jets have crossed the Line of Control since 1971.