‘Free Hand To All Three Service Chiefs To Deal With Pakistan’: Reports

The three service chiefs - Army chief Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Sunil Lanba and Air Chief B S Dhanoa - have been given a free hand by the government to respond to Pakistan’s military adventurism yesterday, reports India Today.

On 27 February, Pakistani F16s intruded into Indian territory and targeted military installations. Though India retaliated immediately, one Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was captured by the enemy when his MiG-21 caught fire in the operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a Cabinet meeting at 7 pm today (28 February) to take stock of the developing situation.

Also, in a telephonic conversation with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held late last night, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the US supported India’s decision to take action against JeM terror camp on Pakistani soil.

On 26 February a fleet of 12 India Mirage jets entered Pakistan in a pre-emptive non-military strike to destroy Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) training camps in Balakot. JeM had earlier claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terrorist attack in Kashmir which killed 44 CRPF personnel.

While India targeted only non-state actors, Pakistan attempted to strike Indian military facilities, thus violating peacetime conventions.

Also Read: Pakistan Uses Civilians As Human Shields To Fire Missiles And Mortars, Indian Non-Military Areas Targeted