IAF Mirage 2000 jets strike Jaish camp across LoC in Balakot, say sources

Indian Air Force fighter jets struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, across the Line of Control early on Tuesday morning, according to intelligence sources.

What the sources said

The sources said the IAF used Mirage 2000 aircraft carrying laser-guided bombs, and estimated casualties at 200-300. These figures were attributed to sources and had not been officially confirmed at the time.

The strike came almost two weeks after a terror attack in Pulwama, south Kashmir, killed 40 CRPF personnel. The suicide bombing had raised tensions between India and Pakistan and prompted calls for punitive action against Pakistan for sheltering terrorists.

Pakistan’s version

Pakistan’s military spokesman, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Asif Ghafoor, tweeted that Indian aircraft had intruded from the Muzaffarabad sector. He claimed that, facing a timely response from the Pakistan Air Force, they released their payload in haste while leaving, which fell near Balakot. He said there were no casualties or damage.

What happened next

The Pulwama attack took place on 14 February 2019 and the Balakot strike on 26 February. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was returned by Pakistan on 1 March 2019.

See also: election news.

Originally published on 26 February 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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