OPERATION BANDAR: Three Years of Avenging Pulwama

A gripping account of the Balakot Airstrike, a bombing raid conducted by Indian warplanes on February 26, 2019 targeting terror training camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan's Balakot. Launched to avenge the February 14, 2019 Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives, the airstrike was a meticulously planned and executed operation that reaffirmed the outstanding capabilities of Indian Air Force

By Col Alok Mathur

Editor Blog

Three years ago, on February 26, 2019 at 0130 hour, Air Traffic Control (ATC) of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Airbase, somewhere in Central India cleared Twelve Dassault Mirages 2000 H (Vajras) of Battle Axe and Wolf Pack squadrons for take-off. The first pair of Mirage 2000 was already rolling on the runaway and was soon airborne, followed by another five pairs. ATC counted 12 blue flames of Snecma M53 engine exhaust of Fighters which gradually faded in dark horizon. The taskforce was heading due north. Another two pairs of Su-30Mk l from Lohegaon also headed northwest towards Jaisalmer. Pak Air Space grid Radar operators casually scanned the air space and found no intrusion. Suddenly, Bhawalpur ATC noticed Sukhois were approaching Desert border, it scrambled Combat Air Patrol (CAP) of Two F-16 as a precaution. The twin Sukhoi 30s gradually turned east well before IB. CAP Pilots took a sigh of relief and returned to Sargodha Air base.

 

Meanwhile, one Airborne Early warning and control Embraer aircraft (Netra) and IL 78, a super tanker also took off from an unknown base and linked up with Vajra taskforce mid-air. Vajras were refuelled mid-air over Adampur and continued towards North over Pir Panjal. The Control Room of Western Air Command finally gave green signal at 0245 hour.

The taskforce was split into three groups like three arms of a trident and took a wide 90 degree turn due West. The first group of 4 Vajras headed for Jaba hills, Balakot Joint Terrorist Camp run by Lashkar/ Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at Khyber Pakhtunwah in NW Pakistan. The second group hit Muzaffarabad and the third was over Chakoti Launch pad of JeM

The members of Cabinet Committee on Security were already briefed to keep away from public interface. The PM was wide awake but in meditation. CDS and Air Chief were in the Operation Room of Western Air Command Headquarters. The taskforce was split into three groups like three arms of a trident and took a wide 90 degree turn due West. The first group of 4 Vajras headed for Jaba hills, Balakot joint terrorist camp run by Lashkar/ Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at Khyber Pakhtunwah in NW Pakistan. The second group hit Muzaffarabad and the third was over Chakoti Launch pad of JeM. Spice 2000 laser-guided precision bombs and AGM pop eye missiles were released on targets. The precision-guided munitions (PGMs) have accuracy of 95% and with minimum collateral damage. There were nominal retaliatory fire from 23 mm twin barrels/ L 60, but caused no damage to dare devils.

 
As per the confirmed intelligence reports from RAW and satellite imagery, Balakot  was a live training camp where 150-200 militant were undergoing intensive training Muzaffarabad and Chakoti launch pads also had 40/50 terrorists awaiting infiltration. The intended targets were neutralised and blown out of shape

As per the confirmed intelligence reports from RAW and satellite imagery, Balakot  was a live training camp where 150-200 militant were undergoing intensive training Muzaffarabad and Chakoti launch pads also had 40/50 terrorists awaiting infiltration. The intended targets were neutralised and blown out of shape. The mission leader reported success signal and Netra instructed them to return to Indian Territory as PAF had mobilised Fighters and two pairs of fighting falcons were heading towards battle area.

Indian Fighter planes were back to base by 0600 hour on February 26, 2019. PM was informed by CDS that mission accomplished and All Birds including mother are safely back to their nests. DD News and All India Radio were the first agency to report that IAF had carried out a surgical strike on terrorist camp in PoK at 0700 hour. It hit non-military targets basically terrorist training camps with minimum collateral damage. The PM had already informed all heads of major powers through diplomats before dawn and a press conference was held at Press Information Bureau at 1000 hour giving brief of the operations. Now, there was hue and cry in Pakistan as for the first time after 1971, Indian war planes had violated Pakistan Airspace and bombarded targets. Initially, Pak was in a denial mode. Finally, when the damage assessment report reached the Pakistan PM, he vowed to take revenge. Indian Forces were put on red alert and waited for response from the belligerent western neighbour.

 

The first air surgical strike by IAF was conducted in retaliation to Pulwama terrorist attack of 2019 on Indian Security forces. A long convoy of 78 vehicles ferrying approx 2500 Central Reserve Police Force troops, began its 266 km ill-fated long journey from Jammu Transit Camp for Sri Nagar at 0330 hour early morning on February 14, 2019 following Jammu-Srinagar National Highway No 44.  The convoy halted for breakfast at Udhampur and crossed Qazi Gund at 1330 hour. The convoy was scheduled to reach CRPF Srinagar Camp by dusk the same day.

The troops were returning after long leave at home from all over India. The downward journey after Banihal Pass in Pir Panjal Ranges had begun.  The open area of beautiful Kashmir valley could be now seen and troops relaxed as maximum height of 9291 feet of Banihal Pass had been crossed. The head of convoy crossed at Lethpura near Awantipura at 1500 hour.  Suddenly, a white Maruti car fully loaded with 100 kg of RDX driven by a local Kashmiri youth intruded into the convoy from a side road and rammed into the CRPF bus carrying personnel of 76 Battalion. The loud explosion and blinding flash caused by the IED blew up the bus and instantaneously killed 40 CRPF jawans and approximately 50 personnel were severely injured who were evacuated to Army Base Hospital.

Suddenly, a white Maruti car fully loaded with 100 kg of RDX driven by a local Kashmiri youth intruded into the convoy from a side road and rammed into the CRPF bus carrying personnel of 76 Battalion. The loud explosion and blinding flash caused by the IED blew up the bus and instantaneously killed 40 CRPF jawans and approximately 50 personnel were severely injured

Within few hours, Pakistan-based militant group JeM claimed responsibility and the name and photo of assailant 22-year-old local Kashmiri Adil Ahmad Dar from Kakapura were released.

It was the most dastardly terrorist attack on Indian Security Forces in Kashmir since 1990. The whole nation was in state of shock and state funeral was provided to all bravehearts. The Indian PM condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with near and dear ones of troops. The then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured a strong response.

Indian Air force was on high alert since dawn of February 26, 2019 as it was expected that Pakistan would respond definitely for self-respect and public opinion. The PAF launched Operation Swift Retort at 0900 hour on February 27, 2019 from Mashah Air base. Indian AWACs and radars detected a Pak taskforce consisting of 12 Fighters (Three F-16s and Nine JF 17s) heading for Poonch -Naushera Rajuri sector from Rawalpindi airbase. Netra Alfa was on 12 hour routine patrol when Sqn Leader Minty Aggarwal along with her team manning radars detected Pak intrusion on LOC. One Combat air patrol was already operating in the sector. Eight Sukhois and nine Mirage 2000 were scrambled to reach towards likely battle zones. Pak aircraft, realising that the IAF was ready for confrontation, immediately discharged their ammunition near Poonch garrison and forest near Surankot and sped away.

The mini War which started with Pulwama terror attack on 14 Feb ended on March 1, 2019 with the return of a smiling, bruised Abhinandan sporting Rajput warrior moustaches. The world had a sigh of relief as two nuke powers had calmed down for the time being

Meanwhile, Wing Cdr Abhinandan Vartharajan in his MiG-21 Bison was chasing a F-16, locked on his AAM R 73 and fired. F-I6 was hit and disappeared from Radar. The two pilots ejected. Wing Cdr Abhinandan did not realise that he had gone across LoC, he tried vertical Charlie to escape but its engine failed.  MiG-21 Bison was also hit by an advanced medium range air-to air missile AIM-130 sidewinder from another F-16 at standoff range. The Bison was engulfed in fireball. The pilot decided to eject and Abhinandan landed in Pak occupied territory and was apprehended by Pakistan army and taken prisoner. He was handed over back to Indian authorities at Wagha Border on March 1, 2019.

Thus, the mini War which started with Pulwama terror attack on February 14, ended on March 1, 2019 with the return of a smiling, bruised Abhinandan sporting Rajput warrior moustaches. The world had a sigh of relief as two nuke powers had calmed down for the time being.

-The writer is an Indian Army veteran and a defence analyst. He has keen interest in Geo-strategic affairs and writes regularly on internal and external affairs issues related to India and neighbours. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.