New Delhi was compelled to send jets to bomb jihadists in Pakistani territory because of its own “inaction” in tackling terrorists operating along the border, the Indian foreign affairs chief stated.

“India has given proof many times seeking action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and others at terror camps so big, that they can train hundreds of jihadis and terrorists at any given time,” Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters on Tuesday after Indian jets carried out a “preemptive” bombing raid across its neighbor’s border, targeting the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) jihadist group.

“Due to Pakistan's inaction, this step was necessary and had to be taken,” he said.

Statement by Foreign Secretary on the Strike on JeM training camp at Balakothttps://t.co/0G0R5WhOeBpic.twitter.com/nyzUNiOkzB — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2019

The minister said the jets successfully destroyed the “biggest” JeM training camp near the city of Balakot in Pakistan’s northeastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

According to Indian media, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets took part in the raid, entering Pakistani airspace through the contested Kashmir region.

The government received “very credible intelligence info” that JeM was planning terrorist attacks in India, which made the airstrike “absolutely necessary,” Gokhale stated.

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The Pakistani military confirmed the incursion into its territory but claimed the Indian planes dropped their “payload” while fleeing from jets scrambled to intercept them, and that the raid caused no casualties on the ground.

Pakistan’s foreign minister said his country is prepared to respond to any misadventures, but wants better sense to prevail in India.

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