Indian Army today carried out surgical strikes across the LOC at 7 terror launch pads. The operation started at 12:30am on the night between Wednesday and Thursday and lasted for four hours. The surgical strikes were carried out after army received specific intelligence inputs about terror groups ready to infiltrate India and carry out potential terror attacks. The strikes were carried out in Bhimber, Hotspring, Kel & Lipa sectors on Pakistan’s side of the LoC.

A surgical strike is a military attack that is intended to inflict damage on a specific target, with little or no collateral damage to surrounding areas.

As per various media sources, special team of Indian army went 2 to 3 kms inside the Pakistan territory and neutralised 35-40 terrorists and 9 Pakistan Army men who were trying to shield the terrorists and provide cover fire.

Considering the gravity of situation, villagers on LoC along the western side of Indian border in J&K, Punjab and Gujarat have been asked to vacate their villages. Schools and other institutions along the border have been instructed to stay shut.

Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations was apprised by his Indian counterpart on the surgical operations. India shared with Pakistan details of the strike and that Indian army had very specific information about terrorists who were plan to launch themselves in India.

All the political parties welcomed the decision to carry out the strike for neutralising the terrorism threat. USA distanced itself away from intervening in the matter.

Many analysts are mentioning this as Army’s response to the recent Uri terrorist attack. As per media sources, army has been given a standing instruction to neutralise any movement that signals infiltration from across the border.

With rejection of participation in SAARC summit in Pakistan, relooking at the Most Favoured Nation treatment to Pakistan, re-considering the water usage of the western rivers over which Pakistan has control, this surgical strike combines to present possibly the most that Govt of India can do to combat Pakistan without going for a war.