Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and state Congress president Amit Chavda were among those who lauded the armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan.

Addressing a gathering in Kalavad in Jamnagar, hours after the early morning air strikes, the chief minister said the country was proud of the Air Force jawans for bombing terror camps in Pakistan, and reiterated that the entire nation stood with the armed forces.

"Heartiest congratulations to Indian Air Force and Narendra Modi government for their act against terror. It has further enhanced the trust of 1.3 billion Indians in the government they voted to power," Rupani wrote on Twitter later.

State Congress president Amit Chavda congratulated the Air Force jawans for the retaliatory air strikes.

"There was a feeling in the country (after Pulwama attack) that there should be a tit-for-tat. Today's air strikes by our soldiers in Pakistan have boosted people's morale," Chavda said.

The Congress leader said that his party stood by the soldiers and the central government when it came to dealing with terrorism.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar, who was in Ahmedabad, said that such a step was needed for the country's security.

"We congratulate our soldiers for such a powerful act of bravery. The armed forces carried out a very strong and necessary step for the defence of our country. It was an act of 'Maha Parakram' (great bravery)," he told reporters.

Javadekar also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a free hand to the armed forces to take necessary action against the Pulwama strike of February 14, which left 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead.

Ahmedabad mayor Bijal Patel said that because of the strikes Pakistan would not be able to see eye-to-eye with India.

"Any country that harbours terrorists will be taught a lesson," she said.

Common citizens also lauded the operation, described as a non-military and pre-emptive strike.

"The counter strikes have boosted people's morale, and should be continued," said Rishi Prajapati, a student.