Opposition parties praise IAF for conducting surgical strike

The Pulwama attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier stated his outfit is with the government and the Army post-Pulwama attack, tweeted," I salute the pilots of the IAF."

In an early tweet, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conferece (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, had said: "If this is Balakote in KPK it’s a major incursion & a significant strike by IAF planes. However if it’s Balakote in Poonch sector, along the LoC it’s a largely symbolic strike because at this time of the year forward launch pads & militant camps are empty & non-functional."

Later he said: "So it is Balakote in KPK. That’s a strike deep inside Pakistan & is hugely embarrassing for them. Regardless of what the other side may claim was or wasn’t hit the planes crossed over, dropped their payload & flew back completely unscathed."

In a different tone, other former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted, "Pulwama attacks has undoubtedly vitiated the nation’s atmosphere. People are baying for blood & want revenge. But lets not forget violence begets violence. Having said that in which part of the world does advocating peace and not wanting senseless violence make one a traitor?"

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, termed IAF as "India's Amazing Fighters".

"I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan," Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, said on Twitter.

Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, HD Kumaraswamy, said: "My Salute to the Indian Airforce. Jai Jawan.. Jai Hind.."

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, Mayawati, has saluted the IAF but also stated the surgical strike before 2015 would have saved several lives lost in successive terror attacks like in Pathankot, Uri and Pulwama.

She said in a tweet, "IAF strike destroying terrorist camps across LoC is welcome action. Salute & respect to their bravery. PM Modi gave free hand to Army only after Pulwama attack. Had it been earlier Pathankot, Uri & Pulwama like tragedy & loss of precious lives of jawans could have been averted."

Ex-Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party (SP) president, Akhilesh Yadav, tweeted, "I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC"

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury called the surgical strike as an "effective action".

India confirms surgical strike:

The Indian government on Tuesday said the IAF had carried out a "non-military pre-emptive" surgical strike.

Briefing the media, India's foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said the strike aimed at Jaish camps.

"In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by MAULANA YOUSUF AZHAR (alias USTAD GHOURI), the brother-in-law of MASOOD AZHAR, Chief of JeM," the foreign secretary said.

Reports said 1,000 kg bombs were dropped on Jaish bases across the LoC by multiple jets, including the IAF’s Mirage 2000.

Image credit: IAF