Today while speaking to the press during the commemoration of 20 years of the Kargil War, the Indian Air Chief Marshall, BS Dhanoa, speaking about the Balakot airstrikes against Pakistan said that none of the Pakistan fighter jets was able to cross the Line of Control (LOC).
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He said that India had achieved its military objective by striking at the terror camps on Balakot. However, Pakistan had failed in achieving its objective of striking Indian military bases as they fighter jets couldn’t even cross the LoC.
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Talking about Pakistan’s closed airspace, he said that India had a vibrant economy and that it was important to keep it open. He also said that the Indian Air Force has never stopped civil air traffic. The IAF had only stopped Srinagar airspace on 27 February for just 2-3 hours. India didn’t allow the tension with Pakistan to dictate civil aviation as it had a larger economy.
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Talking about the Kargil War, he said that the purpose of the attack has always been to show resolve and capability. He said that the message has been delivered the people who were hit.
Today, the Indian Air Force commemorated 20 years of the Kargil War by recreating Tiger Hill attack and static display of Mirage-2000 and other aircraft used during ‘Operation Vijay’.
In March the Air Marshall Chief had categorically stated that IAF had successfully hit the target that was intended to be hit, dismissing all doubts on the Balakot air strike. In April, he had said that technology was on India’s side during Balakot air strikes and that the results would have been had they already acquired the Rafale.
A few days ago, it was revealed that the Balakot strike was codenamed as ‘Operation Bandar’. Despite the constant denial of the success of the operation, Pakistan has said that its Eastern airspace would remain shut until India promises not to repeat Balakot. After the air strikes, Pakistan had kept hidden one of its most advanced submarines. The Indian Navy detected it after searching for about 21 days.