The Pulwama Attack on February 14, 2019 left the Indians devastated. With 40 soldiers being killed on the spot by a suicide attack, it was a big challenge for both the Indian Army and the Government of India. Militants and terrorist groups had been troubling the Indians and the armed forces for so many years but the Pulwama attack was the final nail in the coffin that left the self-respect of Indians tattered.
And that is why it was time to retaliate! Albeit, it was not easy as despite knowing that the attack was made by a militant outfit based in Pakistan Indians could not make a direct attack on these bases. That is when a strategic, secret retaliatory Balakot Strike was planned.
Balakot strike taught a lesson that Pakistan can never forget
Indian Air Force planned Balakot airstrikes on February 26, 2019. It was a well-planned successful attack strategised in retaliation for the Pulwama attack. The airstrikes were carried out under the name of “Operation Bandar.” The name “Operation Bandar” was a secret codename so no one knew about this operation. Also, it is a general belief that monkeys have played an important role in the war culture of Indians.
In the early hours of February 26, an entire fleet of IAF Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the first time since the Indo-Pak War of 1971 crossed the borders and destroyed the biggest terror bases of Jaish-E-Mohammad in Balakot in just 19 minutes.
Incidentally, within hours of the Pulwama Attack, the terrorist outfit Jaish-E-Mohammad had taken responsibility for the attack. That is why it had become quintessential that the enemy’s camps are destroyed so that they do not dare to mess up with the Indians in this way again.
How was Balakot strike carried out?
Balakot town is situated just 50 km from the Line of Control in the Manshera district. It is known as the epicenter of terrorism among intelligence agencies and has also been under the scanner of the US forces for a long time.
On February 26, exactly 12 days after the Pulwama attack, 12 Mirages left the air bases in India and carried out attacks on JeM terror bases with IAF pilots dropping 5 Spice 2000 bombs at around 3.30 am.
Four of these bombs were on target and killed the sleeping terrorists and within minutes after dropping the bombs, the Indian jets returned. While the IAF jets were dropping bombs, another set of Su-30MKI combat aircraft ensured that the Pakistani air force planes did not cause any issues during this strike.
Retaliation and impact of Balakot strike
After the Balakot strike, the Pakistani Air Force retaliated the very next day by striking Jammu’s Rajouri region. During the aerial battle, India shot down one F-16 fighter plane from Pakistan while India’s MIG-21 Bison was also shot down. Unfortunately, its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani officials as he ejected on Pakistani land. Later on, fearing an all-out attack by India, Pakistan was forced to release Abhinandan who returned to India on March 1.
The Balakot strike brought to the fore the fake claims of Pakistan regarding its nuclear power which it has been using to blackmail India for the last few years. With this strike, India made it clear that it will no longer bow down to such threats and henceforth will actively and openly carry out all types of operations that would be necessary to tackle Pakistan-supported terrorism.