‘Large number’ of JeM terrorists killed as India strikes their ‘biggest training camp’ in Balakot : Foreign Secy Vijay Gokhale

It has been confirmed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at a media briefing held at 11.30 am on Tuesday that the Indian Air Force  struck terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed’s “biggest training camp” in Balakot in what was is being described as an “intelligence-led operation” during the wee hours of the day, killing a “large number” of terrorists.

The statement given by Gokhale, which was called at a short notice, did not involve the asking of any questions by journalists after it was read out.

“On February 14th, a suicide terror attack led to the martyrdom of our jawans. The Jaish-e-Mohammed is responsible for the series of attacks including the Parliament attack in 2002 and the Pathankot attack,” he said. “Credible intelligence was received that the Jaish-e-Mohammed was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country and fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose.

“In an intelligence lead operation in the early hours today, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. This non-military pre-emptive action was specifically targeted at the biggest JeM camp in Balakot and a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander and Jihadis were eliminated.

“The camp was controlled by Maulana Yusuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Jaish-E-Mohammed head, Masood Azhar.”

He concluded: “As the strike has taken place only a short while ago, we are still awaiting 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 action to dismantle all JeM and other camps and hold the terrorists accountable for their actions.”