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New Delhi, September 29: As soon as the news about the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army on purported terror launch pads along the Line of Control broke, social media broke out in jubilation. Army Director General of Military Operations Lt. General Ranbir Singh on Thursday issued a statement, along with spokes man of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup, confirming that the strikes took place on Wednesday night. Singh said that the strikes had caused several casualties on the other side of the border. Here is all we know about the strikes that were undertaken as India’s response to the Uri terror attack: READ: LIVE UPDATES on Surgical Strike by India across LOC, Pakistan threatens to wage nuclear war
What is a surgical strike?
A surgical strike is a highly precise operation of military strike undertaken by defense forces, wherein damage is only caused to the intended military or other target. The strikes ensure that there is minimal collateral damage to life and property, including general public infrastructure, utilities etc, around the targets.
When and Where?
According to sources, the strikes took place at terror launch pads, along the Line of Control. The Indian Army targeted the launch pads, based on “specific and credible” information that they received about the presence of terrorists along the border who intended to infiltrate and cause terror strikes at targets across the country. According to Army sources, seven terror launch pads have been destroyed in the strikes which took place at around 12.30 am and 4.30 am, at around 500 meters to 2 Kilometers across the Line of Control. Indian Amry personnel were air-dropped across the LoC, at the location of the strikes. ALSO READ: Indian army carries out ‘surgical strikes’ on terror camps across LoC
Casualties and Damage Caused
Army DGMO Ranbir Singh said that there were substantial damage caused to the terror launch pads, in the strikes. According to Army sources, the strikes targeted terror camps belonging to multiple Pakistani terror groups. Pakistani Defense Minister Khwaja Asif has confirmed that two Pakistani soldiers were also killed, while nine others were injured. No casualties were reported on the Indian side, which in itself is a big feat.
Reaction to Surgical Strikes
Indian politicians and Ministers have largely responded positively to the strikes, saying that a response to the Uri terror strike was important. “This is a lesson for all terrorists; we have the right of self-defence”, said BJP’s Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, while Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Venkaiah Naidu said that the strikes were a “part of the mandate of the Indian Army to foil any attempts of infiltration into our soil.” He said, “India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan that its territory should not be allowed for terror activities. Our positive gestures were only reciprocated with further encouragement to terrorists (by Pakistan).” Hansraj Ahir, Minister of State for Home, said, “We welcome this move; hopefully Pak will learn a lesson&stop its misdeeds forever.”
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack and warned India, saying that “our desire for silence should not be mistake as weakness.”
Pakistan Denies
Pakistani Inter Services Public Relations has denied that any such strikes were undertake. They instead said that the casualties were a result of “cross border fire initiated by India.” ISPR has also said,”Notion of surgical strike linked to alleged terrorists bases is illusion deliberately generated by India to create false effects”, reported ANI. Pakistan’s Air Force has also said that the attacks were not surgical strikes, saying that the defence forces of the country were prepared for the eventuality and had not been ambushed. ALSO READ: ‘Don’t mistake silence for weakness’: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif condemns surgical strikes by Indian Army along LoC
Balochistan Rejoices
Baloch leaders and activists have welcomed the strikes. Speaking with the ANI, Baloch leader Mazdak Dilshad Baloch said, “Any step taken by India against terrorism, is right. We support such strikes and want Indian Army to conduct surgical strikes in Balochistan as well.”
Government’s Road Ahead
The Narendra Modi lead Bharatiya Janata Party lead government has called for an all-party meeting which will take place at 4 pm today, after the strikes were announced by the Army DGMO. Meanwhile, the government is also preparing for a response from the Pakistani side. Villages in Punjab which are 10KM from International Border with Pakistan are being evacuated, additional BSF troops move in, reported ANI. The beating retreat ceremony of at the Wagah border was cancelled for today, given the possibility of exchange of hostilities during the ceremony.
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