Pakistan accuses India of airstrikes in disputed area

The scene of the airstrike in the disputed Kashmir region. Photo: AFP

On February 26, Pakistani military spokesman General Asif Ghafoor said, “The Indian Air Force violated the Line of Control. The Pakistan Air Force was immediately scrambled. And the Indian aircraft left.”

According to Mr. Ghafoor, these planes entered the Muzaffarabad area, near the disputed region of Kashmir of Pakistan.

In response to the Pakistani Air Force, the Indian side “hastily dropped a charge of explosives before fleeing near Balakot. No casualties or damage were reported.” General Ghafoor released photographs showing the impact of the explosives in the forested area.

On the Indian side, the country's authorities said there was an early morning airstrike targeting terrorist sites and completely destroying them.

Indian media also reported that the aircraft shot down several targets including camps run by the Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the February 14 bombing.

CNN News 18 quoted a senior government source as saying that there were nearly “200 casualties after the Indian airstrike.” Meanwhile, Indian news agency ANI confirmed that 12 Mirage 200 aircraft attacked the terrorist sites overnight.

It is known that for a long time, India has often accused Pakistan of supporting Islamic rebels and insurgents in the disputed region of Kashmir, but Pakistan has always denied this.

The attack on February 14 has sparked outrage in India and calls for revenge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under pressure from the public and many commentators to respond with a tough response to Pakistan.

For its part, Pakistan also accused India in return and threatened to retaliate against the sanctions India imposed on the country.