Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale briefing the press | Photo Credit: ANI

New Delhi: India on Tuesday confirmed that it had carried out a non-military, pre-emptive air strike in Balakot, Pakistan early this morning targeting the biggest training camp run by the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told a press briefing that the pre-emptive terror strike was conducted as there was credible intelligence that the JeM, which had carried out the recent Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, was plotting major strikes in various parts of the country.

“Credible intelligence was received that Jaish-e-Mohammed was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country and fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose,” Gokhale said. “A pre-emptive strike became important. India struck the biggest camp of JeM in Balakot,” he added.

The Foreign Secretary informed that in the operation, a very large number of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, trainers, senior commander and Jihadis were eliminated. Maulana Yusuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghauri, brother-in-law of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, was also killed in the air strike.

“A large number of JeM terrorists, trainers and senior commanders were eliminated in the largest JeM camp in Balakot. The camp was led by Maulana Yousuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghouri, brother in law of JeM chief Masood Azhar,” the official said.

The Foreign Secretary said the air strike in Balakot was non-military and pre-emptive in nature and was planned in a manner to avoid civilian casualties. “India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all measures to fight the menace of terrorism. This non-military, pre-emptive action was targeted specifically at JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties. It's located in deep forest on a hilltop,” he informed.

The official also said that information regarding training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have been provided to Pakistan from time to time, but Pakistan continues to deny their existence. “Such training camps with hundreds of jihadis cannot function without the support of Pakistani establishment, he stated.

Full statement by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on air strike on JeM training camp at Balakot

"On 14 February 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by a Pak based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad, leading to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans of the CRPF. JeM has been active in Pakistan for the last two decades, and is led by MASOOD AZHAR with its headquarters in Bahawalpur.

This organization, which is proscribed by the UN, has been responsible of a series of terrorist attacks including on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 and the Pathankot airbase in January 2016.

Information regarding the location of training camps in Pakistan and PoJK has been provided to Pakistan from time to time. Pakistan, however, denies their existence. The existence of such massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jidhadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistan authorities.

India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against the JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed inside Pakistan. Pakistan has taken no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil.

Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of imminent danger, a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary.

In an intelligence-led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by MAULANA YOUSUF AZHAR (alias USTAD GHOURI), the brother-in-law of MASOOD AZHAR, Chief of JeM.

The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism. Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties. The facility is located in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence. As the strike has taken place only a short while ago, we are awaiting further details.

The Government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India. We expect that Pakistan lives up to its public commitment and takes follow up actions to dismantle all JeM and other camps and hold the terrorists accountable for the actions."