<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before&nbsp;the Indian media was apprised&nbsp;of the attack. Citing the incident, Modi claimed&nbsp;that he&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;believe in attacking from the back and fights from the front. PM Modi said he himself postponed the announcement to the media as he wanted to inform Islamabad first.</p>

<p>"I&nbsp;had asked the forces to call the media and inform them, but I said before that I would inform Pakistan through telephone about airstrikes at night and the destruction caused, but Pakistan people did not come on the phone. So I asked forces to wait, and after informing them, we later disclosed to the world about airstrikes that happened during the night,"&nbsp;news agency PTI quoted the PM as saying.</p>

<p>PM Modi&nbsp;was speaking&nbsp;at a political rally in Bagalkot in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Monday (Apr 29). He said he had dialled the neighbouring country&nbsp;but&nbsp; “they&nbsp;wouldn’t&nbsp;take calls”.</p>

<p>Modi further stated that India under his leadership has become&nbsp;‘Naya Bharat’&nbsp;or New India, which&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;shy away from killing inside the&nbsp;enemy’s&nbsp;own territory.</p>

<h2><strong>2019 Balakot airstrikes</strong></h2>

<p>India had carried out Balakot airstrikes in February 2019, demolishing training camps of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPmbOL-emFAxXhxjgGHcwLAD84ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-delhi-congress-chief-arvinder-singh-lovely-resigns-from-top-post-715860" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-delhi-congress-chief-arvinder-singh-lovely-resigns-from-top-post-715860&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjPmbOL-emFAxXhxjgGHcwLAD84ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ">Lok Sabha elections 2024: Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief</a></strong></p>

<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mirage fighter jets and used five Israeli-origin Spice 2000 bombs to carry out the February 26 attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bombing came in response to the February 14 suicide attack in Pulwama in India’s&nbsp; erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel&nbsp;were killed.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Saffron terrorism’</strong></h2>

<p>While speaking at another rally in&nbsp;Maharashtra’s&nbsp;Pune, PM Modi accused&nbsp;India’s&nbsp;main opposition Congress party of coming out with&nbsp;a ‘saffron terrorism’&nbsp;theory,&nbsp;in a bid to paint Congress as an anti-Hindu party.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India elections 2024: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh blames heatwave for low voter turnout in polls</strong></p>

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<p>Modi stated that Congress even had the plan ready to put the blame for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on&nbsp;‘holy saffron’.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before the Indian media was apprised of the attack.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before the Indian media was apprised of the attack. Citing the incident, Modi claimed that he doesn’t believe in attacking from the back and fights from the front. PM Modi said he himself postponed the announcement to the media as he wanted to inform Islamabad first. "I had asked the forces to call the media and inform them, but I said before that I would inform Pakistan through telephone about airstrikes at night and the destruction caused, but Pakistan people did not come on the phone. So I asked forces to wait, and after informing them, we later disclosed to the world about airstrikes that happened during the night," news agency PTI quoted the PM as saying. PM Modi was speaking at a political rally in Bagalkot in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Monday (Apr 29). He said he had dialled the neighbouring country but “they wouldn’t take calls”. Modi further stated that India under his leadership has become ‘Naya Bharat’ or New India, which doesn’t shy away from killing inside the enemy’s own territory. 2019 Balakot airstrikes India had carried out Balakot airstrikes in February 2019, demolishing training camps of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mirage fighter jets and used five Israeli-origin Spice 2000 bombs to carry out the February 26 attacks. The bombing came in response to the February 14 suicide attack in Pulwama in India’s erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. ‘Saffron terrorism’ While speaking at another rally in Maharashtra’s Pune, PM Modi accused India’s main opposition Congress party of coming out with a ‘saffron terrorism’ theory, in a bid to paint Congress as an anti-Hindu party. Watch: India elections 2024: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh blames heatwave for low voter turnout in polls × Modi stated that Congress even had the plan ready to put the blame for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on ‘holy saffron’. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Informed Pak about Balakot strike before media’: PM Modi highlights his ‘fight from front’ policy

<p>In February 2019, less than two weeks after a terrorist attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir took the lives of 40 Indian men in uniform, New Delhi launched airstrikes&nbsp;at secretive Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camps in Pakistan's Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The airstrikes targeted Markaz Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed complex at Jabba hilltop, named after a preacher who sought to create an Islamic state among Pashtun tribes in 1830s, and unsuccessfully led hundreds of his followers against Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces. This&nbsp;became the first-ever notable point of jihad in&nbsp;South Asia.</p>

<p>"The lush hills around Balakot are dotted with secretive training camps where modern-day Pakistani jihadis train for battle against Indian forces in Kashmir," journalist Declan Walsh noted in his book 'The Nine Lives of Pakistan' in 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-4th-anniversary-when-india-raided-birthplace-of-jihad-in-south-asia-explained-561852">Pulwama attack 4th anniversary: When India raided birthplace of jihad in South Asia</a></strong></p>

<p>The pre-emptive air strikes resulted in the casualties of a "large number" of terrorists at the training site. However, while Islamabad admitted that Indian fighter jets entered its airspace in Balakot, it denied any casualties by claiming that Indian payloads were dropped on empty land.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335033-untitled-design-2023-02-26t191218658.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p><em>Satellite imagery showing destruction at Markaz Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed complex at Jabba hilltop in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, twelve days after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir by Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group claimed the lives of 40 Indian troops | Reuters</em></p>

<p>Pakistan launched an information warfare, posting pictures of damaged trees instead of damaged training sites, claiming there were no casualties. The Pakistani side of the story, involving a bunch of state-aligned journalists purportedly showing that "nothing happened in Balakot", was proven false shortly after.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Balakot airstrikes: How Pakistan's no casualties claim was proven false?</strong></h2>

<p>India's then Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told a news conference that the strikes had killed a "large number" of militants, including commanders, and had avoided civilian casualties.</p>

<p>"Credible intel [intelligence] was received that JeM was planning more suicide attacks in India. In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH&nbsp;|&nbsp;Gravitas: 'Surprise day', Pak propaganda on Balakot strikes</strong></p>

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<p>Shortly after the Balakot airstrikes, residents in the area told international media that "they were woken up by loud explosions".</p>

<p>An India Today cover story, citing intelligence officials, said that five bombs hit the targets, three hitting the Markaz Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed complex situated at the Jabba hilltop in Balakot that housed 150 terror recruits. The news outlet showed one of the high-resolution satellite pictures shared by the Indian Air Force officials in which one can see&nbsp;three holes punctured into the roof of one of the buildings, signifying the&nbsp;strikes by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iafs-balakot-airstrikes-how-operation-bandar-surprised-pakistan-366360">SPICE bombs</a>.</p>

<p>The phone conversations in the area monitored by the Indian intelligence agencies revealed that the local police station recorded three ambulances with 35 bodies coming from the camp. Another 37 ambulances were rushed to the spot, with some of the injured reportedly taken to an Abbottabad hospital for treatment.</p>

<p>Months later in August 2021, the then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted that the Balakot strike took place.</p>

<p>"Just like how after Pulwama, they took the action in Balakot, according to the information we have, they have made more sinister plans now," Khan said while addressing a Legislative Assembly on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan, referring to what Khan feared&nbsp;was an impending action by the Indian forces in Pakistan&nbsp;shortly after New Delhi's constitutional changes revoked limited autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<h2><strong>After Balakot: India’s bid to eliminate terror in the region</strong></h2>

<p>India went after the nucleus of terrorism in South Asia. Its diplomatic overdrive focused more on its fight against terrorism than on just hyphenating itself with Pakistan, the country which sponsored the Pulwama terrorist attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In May 2019, Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, a major diplomatic win for India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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In February 2019, less than two weeks after a terrorist attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir took the lives of 40 Indian men in uniform, New Delhi launched airstrikes at secretive Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camps in Pakistan's Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In February 2019, less than two weeks after a terrorist attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir took the lives of 40 Indian men in uniform, New Delhi launched airstrikes at secretive Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camps in Pakistan's Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The airstrikes targeted Markaz Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed complex at Jabba hilltop, named after a preacher who sought to create an Islamic state among Pashtun tribes in 1830s, and unsuccessfully led hundreds of his followers against Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces. This became the first-ever notable point of jihad in South Asia. "The lush hills around Balakot are dotted with secretive training camps where modern-day Pakistani jihadis train for battle against Indian forces in Kashmir," journalist Declan Walsh noted in his book 'The Nine Lives of Pakistan' in 2020. ALSO READ | Pulwama attack 4th anniversary: When India raided birthplace of jihad in South Asia The pre-emptive air strikes resulted in the casualties of a "large number" of terrorists at the training site. However, while Islamabad admitted that Indian fighter jets entered its airspace in Balakot, it denied any casualties by claiming that Indian payloads were dropped on empty land. Satellite imagery showing destruction at Markaz Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed complex at Jabba hilltop in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, twelve days after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir by Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group claimed the lives of 40 Indian troops | Reuters Pakistan launched an information warfare, posting pictures of damaged trees instead of damaged training sites, claiming there were no casualties. The Pakistani side of the story, involving a bunch of state-aligned journalists purportedly showing that "nothing happened in Balakot", was proven false shortly after. Balakot airstrikes: How Pakistan's no casualties claim was proven false? India's then Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told a news conference that the strikes had killed a "large number" of militants, including commanders, and had avoided civilian casualties. "Credible intel [intelligence] was received that JeM was planning more suicide attacks in India. In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he said. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: 'Surprise day', Pak propaganda on Balakot strikes × Shortly after the Balakot airstrikes, residents in the area told international media that "they were woken up by loud explosions". An India Today cover story, citing intelligence officials, said that five bombs hit the targets, three hitting the Markaz Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed complex situated at the Jabba hilltop in Balakot that housed 150 terror recruits. The news outlet showed one of the high-resolution satellite pictures shared by the Indian Air Force officials in which one can see three holes punctured into the roof of one of the buildings, signifying the strikes by SPICE bombs. The phone conversations in the area monitored by the Indian intelligence agencies revealed that the local police station recorded three ambulances with 35 bodies coming from the camp. Another 37 ambulances were rushed to the spot, with some of the injured reportedly taken to an Abbottabad hospital for treatment. Months later in August 2021, the then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted that the Balakot strike took place. "Just like how after Pulwama, they took the action in Balakot, according to the information we have, they have made more sinister plans now," Khan said while addressing a Legislative Assembly on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan, referring to what Khan feared was an impending action by the Indian forces in Pakistan shortly after New Delhi's constitutional changes revoked limited autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir. After Balakot: India’s bid to eliminate terror in the region India went after the nucleus of terrorism in South Asia. Its diplomatic overdrive focused more on its fight against terrorism than on just hyphenating itself with Pakistan, the country which sponsored the Pulwama terrorist attack. In May 2019, Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, a major diplomatic win for India. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Balakot airstrike anniversary: How India struck heart of terrorism deep inside Pakistan

<p>Indian Air Force Group Captain <strong>Abhinandan Varthaman </strong>who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious <strong>Vir Chakra </strong>by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.</p>

<p>"President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty," the government said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty. <a href="https://t.co/zrmQJgfbEr">pic.twitter.com/zrmQJgfbEr</a></p>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1462691583149494279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The confrontation had&nbsp;taken place after Indian jets struck Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at <strong>Balakot</strong> leading the Pakistani Air Force to retaliate the next day.</p>

<p>Varthaman was given the gallantry award for his "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial battle with <strong>Pakistani jets</strong>. The dogfight had taken place on February 27, 2019, as Pakistani jets tried to intrude into Indian territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Varthaman's <strong>MiG-21 Bison</strong> intercepted Pakistan's F-16 and was involved in a dogfight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The citation said the <strong>Indian Air Force</strong> pilot "displayed&nbsp;exceptional air combat acumen and knowledge of the enemy's tactics" while "scanning the low altitude airspace with his Airborne Intercept (AI) radar and picked up an enemy aircraft that was flying low to ambush the Indian fighter-interceptor aircraft."</p>

<p>His MiG-21 plane was hit by a missile and he ejected into POK. Varthaman's conduct during the capture was applauded at the ceremony for being "brave and dignified".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan Varthaman<strong> </strong>spent three days in captivity and was released by Pakistani authorities as he crossed the Wagah border into India.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. "President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty," the government said. President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty. pic.twitter.com/zrmQJgfbEr — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 22, 2021 × The confrontation had taken place after Indian jets struck Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot leading the Pakistani Air Force to retaliate the next day. Varthaman was given the gallantry award for his "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial battle with Pakistani jets. The dogfight had taken place on February 27, 2019, as Pakistani jets tried to intrude into Indian territory. Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison intercepted Pakistan's F-16 and was involved in a dogfight. The citation said the Indian Air Force pilot "displayed exceptional air combat acumen and knowledge of the enemy's tactics" while "scanning the low altitude airspace with his Airborne Intercept (AI) radar and picked up an enemy aircraft that was flying low to ambush the Indian fighter-interceptor aircraft." His MiG-21 plane was hit by a missile and he ejected into POK. Varthaman's conduct during the capture was applauded at the ceremony for being "brave and dignified". Abhinandan Varthaman spent three days in captivity and was released by Pakistani authorities as he crossed the Wagah border into India. (With inputs from Agencies)

IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16  honoured with Vir Chakra

At the annual Air Force Day press conference, the IAF showcased the story of the Balakot aerial strikes in a promotional video. The conference was attended by air chief Bhadauria. Watch this video to know more.

Indian Air Force releases promotional video of Balakot air strikes

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balakot air-strikes

‘Informed Pak about Balakot strike before media’: PM Modi highlights his ‘fight from front’ policy

Balakot airstrike anniversary: How India struck heart of terrorism deep inside Pakistan

IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16 honoured with Vir Chakra

Indian Air Force releases promotional video of Balakot air strikes