Balakot airstrike anniversary today; India salutes IAF's courage

Hailing Indian Air Force for their exceptional courage, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "I salute the exceptional courage and diligence of IAF. The success of Balakot strikes has shown India's strong will to act against terrorism. We are proud of our armed forces who keep India safe and secure."

Balakot airstrike second anniversary today India salutes IAF's courage-VPN

Anish Kumar

New Delhi, First Published Feb 26, 2021, 12:14 PM IST | Last Updated Feb 26, 2021, 12:16 PM IST

As India observed the second anniversary of the Balakot airstrike, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah paid their rich tributes to the CRPF soldiers who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019.

The airstrike was carried out on February 26, about two weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed when a powerful explosion rocked their convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway at Latoomode in Pulwama district.

Hailing Indian Air Force for their exceptional courage, Rajnath in a tweet said, "I salute the exceptional courage and diligence of IAF. The success of Balakot strikes has shown India's strong will to act against terrorism. We are proud of our armed forces who keep India safe and secure."

Meanwhile, Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, "On this very day in 2019, the IAF responded to the Pulwama terrorist attack, once again making clear New India's policies against terrorism. I pay my respects to the Pulwama martyrs and salute the courage of the IAF. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the safety of our nation and soldiers is paramount."

The airstrike had totally damaged a number of Jaish camps in Balakot of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. As per the reports, around 300 terrorists were killed in the airstrike.

Since then, Pakistan has not been able to do misadventure with India.

After the airstrike, the Pakistan Air Force attempted unsuccessful retaliatory strikes the next day.

In the dogfight with PAF's F-16, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane, crossed over to PoK where his jet was shot down. He was taken into custody and was released later.

Wing Commander Varthaman shot down PAF F-16 for which he was honoured with the Vir Chakra on Independence Day.

In a major breakthrough, the armies of India and Pakistan yesterday agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25.

Indian Army's Director Generals of Military Operations Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh and his Pakistani counterpart have held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact on Thursday.

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