Soon after the air force struck in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad, destroying terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC), leaders across political lines hailed the air strike.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying, “I salute the pilots of the IAF.”
?? I salute the pilots of the IAF. ??
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 26, 2019
Union minister Prakash Javadekar was the first prominent voice from the government to react on the strike. “This was a necessary step for the security forces. The entire country is backing the forces now”.
Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh tweeted saying that India will retaliate ‘harder and stronger’ every time it gets attacked.
They say they want India to bleed with a 1000 cuts. We say that each time you attack us, be certain we will get back at you, harder and stronger. Salute the brave pilots of the @IAF_MCC that carried out the strikes. #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/3dLvr5oX0B
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) February 26, 2019
The party’s general secretary and state in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir Ram Madhav reacted praising the forces and the Prime Minister.
Every Indian who had d pain n anguish of d martyrdom of our forces is greatly relieved and delighted this morning. Salute to d Air Force for a meticulous operation. Our forces r world class anyway. It is d political will of our PM n team that made all d difference.
— Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) February 26, 2019
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also echoed his party President’s sentiments.
Salute to the #IndianAirForce https://t.co/uyR36hRt3d
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) February 26, 2019
Another Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi observed that the Air Force’s mission was a “hugely successful” one as it penetrated deep into LoC.
Balakot which is quite far out into the LOC is a deep strike and purportedly where Hafeez Saeed gives a lot of his addresses. If IAF penetrated that deep without casualties it’s a highly successful mission.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 26, 2019
Indian Air Force Strikes at Balakot don’t have official word yet but the Helter skelter by Pakistan seems like something big has happened. The IAF has gone beyond POK & into Pakistan near their capital while they were busy counting alms received from Saudi & China.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 26, 2019
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also lauded the Air Force for “striking terror targets.”
I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2019
His party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tweeted out a clipping from the movie Border.
.@IAF_MCC ???#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/yGi2ZQygf3
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 26, 2019
TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee termed the IAF as ‘ India’s Amazing Fighters’.
IAF also means India’s Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 26, 2019
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed similar reactions.
We salute bravery of our pilots and Air Force. We are blessed and proud of our forces. Jai Hind
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) February 26, 2019
I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 26, 2019
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah put out a number of tweets. Besides saying this is not a “small strike,” he also tweeted that the onus is now on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who had said that Pakistan will retaliate if India takes action.
Wow, if this is true this was not a small strike by any stretch of imagination but will wait for official word, should any be forthcoming. https://t.co/bOFt7SXl43
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2019
The problem now becomes PM Imran Khan’s commitment to his country – “Pakistan will not think about responding, Pakistan WILL respond”. What shape will response take? Where will response be? Will India have to respond to Pakistan’s response?
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2019
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