Feb 26, 2019 02:54 PM IST | Source: Moneycontrol.com
Surgical Strike 2.0 LIVE: I assure countrymen, India is in safe hands, says PM Modi
Live updates of the developments after IAF struck Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s terror camp in Balakot. In his first public address since IAF’s strike, PM Modi assured countrymen that India is in safe hands.
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Over 300 terrorists eliminated in IAF's covert operation today: Sources
Sources told ANI: This was an intelligence-based counter-terror strike, not a military action for the sake of war. Have demolished the entire terror set-up in the suicide bombing training centre in Balakot, and over 300 terrorists were eliminated in the covert operation by Indian Air Force.
China has urged India and Pakistan to 'exercise restraint,' news agency AFP has reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistani PM Imran Khan is chairing an emergency meeting.
The prime minister is now speaking about the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and the National War Memorial, that was inaugurated yesterday.
Nothing is more important than the nation: PM Modi
PM Modi began his rally in Churu, Rajasthan saying, “I understand your 'josh' today.”
I assure the people that the country is in safe hands: PM Modi
Foreign diplomats from the US, UK, Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey and six ASEAN members are being briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on IAF's strike across Balakot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing a rally in Churu, Rajasthan shortly. While he did speak at the Gandhi Peace Prize event today morning, the rally address will be his first political speech after IAF's strike in Balakot.
Stay tuned for more updates.
The Pakistan National Assembly is currently discussing IAF's attack in Balakot.
Who is JeM's Yusuf Azhar?
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the air force hit at the JeM camp headed by Yusuf Azhar. Yusuf Azhar is the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, the chief of JeM. Yusuf Azhar was involved in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking to free Mazoor Azhar, and works under the alias Mohammad Salim.
Expect more stringent measures against Pakistan not just militarily. As for sports, we cannot play bilaterally but okay with multi-lateral events. We are open for play as it’s not about Pakistan being there: Government sources to News18
Top commanders of JeM were moved out of Balakot after Pulwama attack. Indian agencies were aware of this, but decided to destroy the training camps: Sources to News18
Here's what has happened so far:
# The IAF struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot
# 12 IAF Mirage 2000 jets were reportedly used in the operation
# Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held a briefing
# The targetted terror camp was headed by Yusuf Azhar -- brother-in-law of Masood Azhar
# The target was selected so as to avoid civilian casualties
# Large number of terrorists, JeM's senior commanders were eliminated
# Political leaders in India, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, have praised the strikes
# PM Modi held a high-level security meeting and has briefed the President and the Vice President
# Pakistan has claimed that the IAF jets violated the Line of Control (LoC)
# It is violation of ceasefire. We will give a befitting reply: Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
Opposition parties will also be briefed about IAF’s strike acorss the LoC. An all-party meeting is expected to happen at 5.00 pm today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has briefed both President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu about Indian Air Force’s striking a JeM terror camp in Balakot.
There has been a ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces at the International Border at Kanachak at Samba. The Border Security Force (BSF) retaliated. According to reports, one Pakistani Ranger was killed in retaliatory firing.