Balakot Air Strike: Know What Happened on 26 February 2019 at 3:30 pm?
That black day, February 14, 2019, is one that India will never forget. Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, was shaken by a tremendous explosion on this day. A CRPF convoy of 78 cars was the target. The explosion claimed the lives of 40 Jawans. In the entire country, there was an outpouring of grief and outrage. Today marks the day India invaded the enemy country and exacted vengeance.
On this day three years ago, India breached the Line of Control and launched air attacks in Balakot, Pakistan. This air raid rattled Pakistan's foundations and it took time for Pakistan to comprehend what had occurred.
A unique codename
Balakot Air Strike
After the terrorist assault in Pulwama on February 14, India felt like a wounded lioness, wanting to take the revenge of the sacrifice of her heroic boys who died in the attack. India made a promise to the mothers of the Jawans and other countries around the world have supported India's actions as "self-defense." India had devised a detailed strategy for this, which had been assigned a unique codename.
The 'Bandar' operation
The Indian Air Force's strike against Pakistan was codenamed 'Bandar,' and it took place exactly 12 days later, on February 26, 2019, at roughly 3:30 a.m., when 12 Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force breached the Line of Control (LoC), not only on the LoC, but also while crossing the international boundary, they bombed a terrorist stronghold in Balakot, Pakistan.
Balakot Air Strike
Let us tell you that in the region where the Indian Army struck, the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed had a stronghold, which was destroyed by an airstrike by the Indian Air Force. Sukhoi Su-30s were also utilized by the Indian Air Force in this operation. Let us point out that 'bandar' (Monkey) operation by Indian officials was kept a well-guarded secret. To protect discretion, the cops involved in the operation did not even use their cell phones. The Intelligence System Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) played a crucial role in India's campaign.
Major loss for Pakistan
Pulwama attack
RAW had given correct intelligence regarding the positions of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack, and Pakistan was enmeshed in the clutches of Operation 'Bandar.'
On February 14, 2019, a terrorist attack claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers. All of the planning for Operation 'Bandar' for the Balakot airstrike was done from the Western Air Command Headquarters' control stations. In Balakot, where the Air Force carried out the airstrike, about 500 to 600 Jaish militants were reported. While it was a significant win for India, it was a major loss for Pakistan, which had simply fallen into Operation 'Bandar’s trap.