Srinagar: After Indian Air Force fighter jets carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan at around 3.30 am today as a major crackdown against terrorism, tension in Kashmir mounted, said media reports.
Reacting to news about the strike, former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The problem now becomes PM Imran Khan’s commitment to his country – ‘Pakistan will not think about responding, Pakistan WILL respond’. What shape will response take? Where will response be? Will India have to respond to Pakistan’s response?”
Last week the Indian government launched a crackdown on separatists and Jamaat-e-Islami cadres, and 100 additional paramilitary forces were deployed in Kashmir.
Twelve IAF Mirage 2000 fighter jets crossed LoC and targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed camps in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad along with JeM control rooms with laser-guided bombs, said media reports. 1,000 kgs bombs were dropped on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) and completely destroyed the camps. The operation went on for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, the NIA is carrying out raids on residences of some top separatist leaders and their sympathisers. Security forces have been deployed at vulnerable areas and protests against the raids are expected. Security forces have been asked to remain on high alert in these regions.
In connection with a terror funding case, nine places including the residences of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik and All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq are being raided by the NIA.
Poem by Indian Army
Hours after the air strikes, the Indian Army tweeted a Hindi poem written by poet Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar‘ on being powerful. “If you are docile and polite before the enemy, he may consider you as a coward, the way Kauravas treated Pandavas.” The poem says that peace overtures are possible only when you are in a powerful position and capable to win.