IAF bombs JeM hub deep inside Pakistan, India claims heavy toll

New Delhi In a pinpointed and swift air strike that ended in 20 minutes India pounded JaisheMohammeds JeMs biggest training camp in Pakistan early on Tuesday killing up to 350 terrorists and trainers who were moved there for their protection after the Pulwama attack officials saidThe predawn operation described as nonmilitary and preemptive struck a fivestar resort style camp on a hilltop forest that provided Indian forces with a sittingduck target and caught the terrorists in their sleep sources saidI want to assure the people that the country is in safe hands There is nothing above the nation Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a public rally in Churu Rajasthan in his first remarks after the strike He however did not make a direct reference to the attack or give any detailsForeign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told the media the intelligenceled operation on the Pakistanbased terror groups biggest training camp in Balakot became absolutely necessary as it was planning more suicide attacks in India after the February 14 attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in which 40 soldiers were killedPakistan reactsPakistan will raise the issue of Indias violation of the LoC at the United Nations and other international forums a media report said on Tuesday quoting sources The decision was taken at a highlevel meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the top civil and military leadership Geo TV reportedPakistan summoned Indias acting high commissioner and condemned the violation of its territorial sovereignty by Indian fighter jets In a statement the foreign office said that at approximately 0254 hours local time eight Indian aircraft were effectively intercepted by the Pakistani Air Force jets and forced to returnPakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he has spoken to his UAE counterpart and expressed reservations about invitation to Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to attend the OIC meeting scheduled later this weekThe Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling on 55 forward areas in Jammu Rajouri and Poonch districts after IAF airstrike across the LoC Army sources saidIndian attack was repulsed Pak armyPakistan Army confirmed that Indian fighter jets dropped four bombs during an operation on Tuesday but downplayed its significance saying the Indian attack was repulsed and while going back the aircraft jettisoned their payload Army Spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor also said Pakistan will surprise India with its response that will be in all domains including diplomatic political and militaryMirage 2000 jetschosen for accuracyA fleet of Mirage 2000 deeppenetration fighter jets assisted by other assets of the IAF carried out the predawn strike on the biggest terror camp of the JeM terror outfit in Pakistan government sources said The sources said the Mirage 2000 aircraft was chosen for its capability to hit targets with pinpoint accuracyBalakot camp used for battle inoculationThe Balakotbased JeM terror camp destroyed by the IAF was used for battle inoculation and its trainers were retired officers of the Pakistani army government sources said Located on the banks of Kunhar river in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pak the camp was also used by Hizbul MujahideenCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever