The Balakot air strikes displayed the armed forces’ ability to retaliate deep in the enemy’s territory and also fasten the process of procurement of defence assets, experts said on Friday. India’s warplanes targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot on 26th February 2019 to avenge the killing of 40 CRPF soldiers in the Pulwama attack.
Air Marshal (retd) Anil Khosla, who was the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force during the Balakot airstrikes, said that the Balakot incident has fastened the process of capacity building. He also said that the acquisition of Rafale fighter, Chinook heavy-lift choppers, and Apache multi-role combat helicopters were introduced in the IAF’s fleet after the Balakot strikes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “On the anniversary of Balakot Air Strikes, I salute the exceptional courage and diligence of the Indian Air Force. The success of Balakot strikes has shown India’s strong will to act against terrorism. We are proud of our Armed Forces who keep India safe and secure.”
