Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Balakot

Balakot is a town in , province, , located in a mountainous valley traversed by the and situated near active fault lines including the Balakot-Bagh fault. The town experienced near-total destruction from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake on October 8, 2005, whose epicenter lay approximately 15 km northeast of Balakot, resulting in thousands of local deaths amid an overall toll exceeding 79,000 fatalities across the region, with damage exacerbated by direct surface rupture along the underlying thrust fault and subsequent landslides. Balakot drew renewed global scrutiny in February 2019 when jets executed airstrikes on coordinates near the town, targeting what described as a terrorist training facility in retaliation for a prior suicide bombing in that killed 40 personnel; however, high-resolution acquired days later revealed intact structures at the site with no evident bomb craters or significant debris indicative of successful strikes on the claimed camp. The episode escalated - tensions, prompting Pakistani aerial retaliation and an international , yet independent analyses confirmed the Indian munitions likely missed their intended targets due to factors such as poor visibility or navigational errors, underscoring limitations in precision-guided munitions under contested conditions.

Physical Environment

Geography


Balakot is a town in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, situated at coordinates 34°32′N 73°21′E. It lies at an elevation of approximately 995 meters above sea level. The town occupies a position in the Kunhar River valley, on the river's right bank, approximately two-thirds downstream from the river's source at Lulusar Lake. This placement marks Balakot as the southern entry point to the Kaghan Valley, a 130-kilometer-long glacial trough extending northward into the Himalayan foothills. The local terrain consists of steep, forested slopes rising sharply from floor, characteristic of the western extent of the Himalayan . The , originating from glacial melt in the , flows through the valley, carving a path amid narrow gorges and supporting riparian ecosystems along its banks. Surrounding peaks reach elevations exceeding 4,000 meters, with valley-side relief often surpassing 2,000 meters, contributing to a rugged landscape prone to geomorphic processes such as and .

Climate

Balakot exhibits a (Köppen Cfa), marked by distinct seasonal variations influenced by its position in the at an elevation of 981 meters, where winds and orographic effects amplify . The annual averages 18.5–18.9°C, with monthly means ranging from 8°C in to 28°C in . Precipitation totals approximately 1,745–1,878 mm annually, positioning Balakot among the wettest locales in , primarily due to heavy summer inflows from the southwest and supplementary winter rains from western disturbances. The wettest months are (384 mm) and August (311 mm), accounting for over a third of yearly rainfall, while is driest at 44 mm. Summer (June–August) features hot, humid conditions with daytime highs of 32–35.5°C and lows around 20–21°C, often accompanied by intense thunderstorms that elevate flood risks in the surrounding river valleys. Winters (December–February) are cool to cold, with highs of 10–14°C and lows dipping to 2°C or below, occasionally yielding snowfall or frost at higher elevations nearby, though Balakot itself sees mostly rain. (March–May) and autumn (September–November) serve as transitional periods with moderate temperatures (14–24°C means) and variable rainfall peaking in (196 mm) from pre-monsoon activity. Historical records from 1998–2025 indicate interannual variability, with annual fluctuating between 1,208 mm (2022) and 2,431 mm (2019), and temperatures showing slight warming trends consistent with broader regional patterns. High humidity during monsoons (often exceeding 70%) and daylight hours varying from 9.9 in to 14.4 in June further define the local weather dynamics.

Administration and Development

Governance Structure

Balakot Tehsil functions as an administrative subdivision within , province, under the oversight of the provincial government. Its governance operates through a dual framework of elected local bodies and appointed administrative officials, as defined by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013 (amended in 2019), which establishes three tiers: district, , and village/neighborhood councils. The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) serves as the primary executive arm at the tehsil level, headed by a Municipal Officer (TMO) appointed by the provincial government. The TMO manages core functions including , , , , and maintenance of , while also handling local revenue generation and enforcement of bylaws. , encompassing Balakot TMA, maintains three such TMAs (Mansehra, Balakot, and Oghi), each with dedicated budgets audited annually by the . Elected governance is provided by the , comprising representatives from constituent village and neighborhood councils, led by an elected Tehsil Chairman who chairs council meetings and approves development schemes. elections, last held in in 2022, determine council composition, with direct voting for chairmen and councilors to ensure representation in policy-making on local taxes, services, and dispute resolution. At the district level, the Deputy Commissioner of Mansehra exercises supervisory authority over tehsil operations, particularly for revenue, magisterial duties, and coordination with provincial departments, supported by an Assistant Commissioner posted in Balakot for on-ground administration of land records, disaster response, and law enforcement. Union councils within the tehsil—typically numbering around 12, including Balakot and Kawai—represent the grassroots tier, elected to address hyper-local issues like primary education and basic health under TMA guidance. This structure emphasizes decentralized service delivery while integrating with district-wide planning, though implementation has faced challenges from capacity constraints and fiscal dependencies on provincial grants.

Post-Earthquake Reconstruction

The , which struck on October 8 with a magnitude of 7.6, nearly completely destroyed Balakot, reducing much of the town to rubble and killing a significant portion of its population. In response, established the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) on October 24, 2005, to coordinate reconstruction across affected areas, including Balakot, with a mandate for rebuilding infrastructure, homes, and providing rehabilitation support. ERRA's efforts in Balakot initially focused on transitional shelters and temporary housing, with organizations like establishing housing resource centers there by July 2006 to assist in shelter construction adhering to seismic-resistant standards. Due to Balakot's location in a high-risk seismic "red zone," the government restricted permanent reconstruction in the original town site, opting instead for relocation to safer grounds. In 2007, authorities allocated 15,000 kanals of land at Bakrial for New Balakot City to resettle residents, promising completion within two to three years as part of a broader $3.5 billion national recovery plan emphasizing owner-driven reconstruction with improved building codes. However, progress stalled amid bureaucratic delays, land acquisition issues, and funding shortfalls; by 2015, residents remained in the original valley without relocation, prompting criticism of unfulfilled government promises. International aid supplemented ERRA's work, with donors contributing to and projects, though national-level reports later highlighted diversions of over £300 million in pledged funds to non-earthquake priorities, potentially impacting localized efforts like those in Balakot. A 2021 government plan revived the New Balakot City project while allowing limited rehabilitation in safer peripheral areas, but as of 2020, the resettlement remained incomplete, leaving many former residents in vulnerable or makeshift structures. Academic analyses note that while some seismic-resilient homes were built, overall in Balakot's zones prioritized abandonment over rebuilding, reflecting lessons in risk-based but resulting in prolonged .

History

Pre-Colonial and Colonial Periods

The region encompassing Balakot formed part of the ancient cultural sphere, with archaeological ties to early Buddhist and pre-Buddhist settlements; the nearby rock edicts inscribed by Emperor Ashoka in the mid-3rd century BCE, located about 24 kilometers southeast, provide the earliest epigraphic evidence of centralized imperial administration in the area. Medieval control oscillated among local chieftains and imperial overlords, including nominal suzerainty over the Pakhli tract, where Balakot lay, held by tribes such as the Khakha and Bambha until the early . In 1703, Swati Pashtun clans from the valley overran Pakhli, displacing prior Turkic or indigenous rulers, and established Balakot as a principal settlement and headquarters for sub-clans like the Sarkheli, marking a shift toward Pashtun dominance in local governance and land tenure. This era saw Balakot function as a frontier outpost amid tribal feuds and intermittent raids, with limited centralized authority until the Sikh Empire's incursions under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the , which imposed tribute and military oversight on Hazara chieftains. British colonial administration integrated Balakot into the Hazara District following the annexation of Punjab after the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, with the area designated under the North-Western Provinces and later the Punjab province. Major James Abbott's campaigns in the 1840s had already curbed Sikh influence and tribal resistance in upper Hazara, facilitating revenue settlement and road construction by the 1850s; Balakot's strategic position along trade routes to Swat supported British forward policy against Afghan border threats. During the 1857 rebellion, no uprisings occurred among Hazara's Muslim chiefs, who instead cooperated with British forces to quell sepoy mutineers from adjacent Hoti and Mardan, earning commendations and land grants that stabilized colonial rule through alliances with local elites. By the late 19th century, Balakot remained a modest tahsil center focused on agriculture and transit, with British records noting its vulnerability to floods from the Balakot River but relative administrative tranquility.

Battle of Balakot (1831)

The Battle of Balakot, fought on 6 May 1831, pitted the Sikh Khalsa army under the command of Kanwar Sher Singh—eldest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh—against the mujahideen forces led by Syed Ahmad Barelvi in the hilly terrain near Balakot, in what is now the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The engagement marked the culmination of Barelvi's campaign to overthrow Sikh rule in the North-West Frontier and establish a puritanical Islamic emirate modeled on strict interpretations of sharia, influenced by reformist and jihadist ideologies akin to those from Arabia. Syed Ahmad Barelvi, born in 1786 near in present-day , had mobilized thousands in the 1820s for a holy war against Sikh expansion, framing it as a religious duty to expel non-Muslims from Muslim lands and revive caliphal authority. After initial successes, including the capture of from its pro-Sikh ruler Sultan Muhammad Khan in 1830, Barelvi's forces retreated to Balakot amid growing tribal discontent; local Pashtun clans resented his imposition of a 10% tax, prohibition of customary practices like Tazia processions during , and assertion of religious supremacy over tribal autonomy, leading to defections and intelligence shared with the Sikhs. Accompanied by key lieutenants such as , Barelvi fortified Balakot as a base, expecting to repel invaders and advance toward , but local betrayals undermined his position. Sikh forces numbered approximately 5,000, including artillery and infantry under , alongside commanders like Sardar Pratap Singh and Ratan Singh Garjakhia, dispatched from to suppress the threatening frontier stability. Barelvi commanded 2,000 to 3,000 , a mix of Indian recruits and local fighters, though broader support had swelled to tens of thousands earlier before fracturing. The Sikhs advanced stealthily , besieging Balakot and launching a coordinated assault that exploited the terrain and tribal disaffection, turning what Barelvi anticipated as a defensive stand into a . The fighting lasted much of the day, with cries of "Allah-o-Akbar" met by Sikh charges, resulting in heavy casualties among Barelvi's ranks as positions collapsed under superior Sikh firepower and numbers. and were killed during the melee, their heads severed by retreating locals seeking Sikh rewards, while around 500 followers perished alongside leaders like Bahram Khan. Sikh losses were comparatively light, bolstering Sher Singh's reputation at the Lahore court. The defeat shattered Barelvi's jihadist enterprise, dispersing remnants into guerrilla actions that persisted sporadically but failed to revive the , while reinforcing Sikh dominance in Hazara until the Anglo-Sikh wars. Local tribes, having aided the , received exemptions from tribute, highlighting how internal Muslim divisions—rooted in Barelvi's alienating reforms—contributed decisively to the outcome over external military factors alone.

Independence Era Events

In the years preceding Pakistan's independence, Balakot, located in within the Hazara region of the (NWFP), saw political mobilization by the to support the demand for a separate Muslim state. The NWFP's provincial government, dominated by the movement under Dr. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and allied with the , opposed partition, prompting the Muslim League to launch a campaign in early 1947 against British and provincial authorities. In Hazara District, League supporters actively picketed courts in , , and Haripur to disrupt operations and rally for accession to , reflecting broader pro-League sentiment in the region compared to Pashtun-dominated areas. The NWFP Referendum on July 6, 1947, offered residents the choice to join or , excluding the option of an independent ; with a turnout of approximately 50% amid a boycott by opponents, 289,884 votes favored , securing the province's integration into the new dominion on August 14, 1947. Balakot and surrounding areas in aligned with this outcome, as Hazara's Muslim-majority population and League activism contributed to the regional pro-Pakistan tilt. However, partition triggered communal violence across the NWFP, including in Balakot, where Muslim mobs targeted Hindu and Sikh minorities with murders and arson, prompting their flight to amid the broader displacement of up to 15 million people and estimated one million deaths subcontinent-wide.

Partition and Early Post-Independence

The North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), encompassing the Hazara division and Mansehra tehsil where Balakot is situated, acceded to Pakistan through a referendum held from July 6 to 17, 1947, under the British partition plan. This vote offered residents the choice between joining India or Pakistan, amid demands from the Indian National Congress and Khudai Khidmatgar leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan for an independent Pashtunistan, which led to a boycott by Congress supporters. Of approximately 572,000 registered voters province-wide, turnout reached about 50%, with 289,226 votes—nearly all valid ballots—favoring accession to Pakistan, reflecting strong Muslim League support in settled districts like Hazara despite opposition in tribal areas. Partition on August 14, 1947, integrated Balakot's region into with minimal direct disruption to local Muslim-majority communities, as Hazara had largely backed the and hosted a small non-Muslim population that had been diminishing since the early . While the NWFP saw organized communal tensions and property looting targeting Hindu and Sikh minorities in 1946–1947, particularly in urban centers like and frontier districts, violence in Hazara remained limited compared to Punjab's massacres, with fewer reports of widespread killings or mass migrations affecting Balakot specifically. Non-Muslims in the area, numbering under 5% by 1941 censuses, largely evacuated to , but the region's pro-Pakistan alignment under local leaders, including alliances with the of Amb, facilitated a smoother transition without the scale of crises seen elsewhere. In the immediate post-independence years, Balakot retained its status as a rural settlement under tehsil administration within NWFP, prioritizing provincial stability over rapid local development amid Pakistan's broader challenges of governance consolidation and . The provincial , headed by a governor appointed by the central authority in , focused on extending federal oversight to frontier agencies while maintaining tribal systems in adjacent areas, though Balakot's economy continued to rely on and pilgrimage routes with little documented infrastructural change until later decades.

Demographics and Society

Population and Growth

The population of Balakot Tehsil, as enumerated in the 2023 Pakistan Census conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, stood at 310,339 residents across an area of 2,376 square kilometers, yielding a density of 130.6 persons per square kilometer. This marked an increase from 273,257 in the 2017 census and 214,630 in the 1998 census, reflecting steady expansion driven primarily by natural increase in a region characterized by high fertility rates typical of rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The intercensal growth rate between 2017 and 2023 averaged approximately 2.1% annually, aligning closely with provincial trends but tempered by the tehsil's rugged terrain limiting large-scale in-migration. The on October 8 profoundly disrupted demographic patterns, obliterating much of Balakot town—pre-quake home to around 30,000 people—and claiming over 2,500 lives there alone, with widespread and across the . Post-disaster reconstruction, including the relocation of the town center to safer ground, facilitated partial recovery, though official data indicate no net in subsequent censuses, attributable to resilient birth rates exceeding mortality and return migration amid government housing initiatives. Urbanization remains low, with the tehsil's growth concentrated in peri-urban clusters tied to agriculture and seasonal labor outflows.

Ethnic, Linguistic, and Cultural Composition

The population of Balakot, located in within the Hazara region of , features a diverse ethnic makeup dominated by , an Indo-Aryan group native to the area, alongside Gujjars (a nomadic pastoralist community), , Tanolis (a tribal group with historical ), Awans, Syeds (descendants of the Prophet Muhammad), and smaller castes such as Karlals, Dhund Abbasis, and Mishwanis. This composition reflects the broader Hazara Division's ethnic mosaic, where form the core in urban and lowland areas, while Gujjars predominate in upland valleys like Kaghan, and are concentrated in peripheral hilly tracts. Linguistically, —a dialect of the Indo-Aryan family closely related to —serves as the primary language spoken by the majority of residents, particularly in the tehsil's central and urban zones. , an Eastern Iranian language, is prevalent among Pashtun communities in rural and border areas, while Gojri (also known as Gujari) is the tongue of Gujjar groups, especially in pastoral settings. functions as the official and inter-ethnic , with English limited to administrative and educated elites; is common, aiding trade and social interactions in this mountainous locale. Culturally, Balakot's inhabitants adhere to , which permeates social norms, festivals (such as and ), and daily practices, with mosques serving as community hubs. Tribal affiliations underpin kinship and , drawing from Indo-Aryan customs among (including folk poetry, traditional attire like , and agrarian rituals) blended with elements—such as (melmastia) and honor (nang)—in Pashtun-influenced subgroups. Gujjar culture emphasizes pastoral nomadism, oral epics, and dairy-based , while the region's post-2005 reconstruction has introduced modern influences without eroding core tribal identities. Local folklore, music (featuring instruments like the rubab), and (e.g., chapli kebabs and wheat-based dishes) highlight resilience in a seismically active, riverine environment.

Economy and Infrastructure

Economic Activities

The economy of Balakot, a in , relies predominantly on and allied sectors, engaging approximately 46.8% of the employed in the district. Major crops include , which constitutes about 60% of the cropped area, and at 29%, with additional production of pulses, , fruits, and cash crops such as and , facilitated by the fertile alluvial soils and irrigation from the . Livestock rearing, including goats, sheep, and cattle, provides supplementary income and dairy products, while benefits from the in surrounding valleys. Tourism supports local businesses through Balakot's position as an entry point to the , offering attractions like river fishing, trekking, and scenic mountain views that draw domestic and some visitors, particularly during summer months. Associated activities include services, transportation, and handicrafts, though the sector's growth is constrained by inadequate , seasonal issues, and historical disruptions. Remittances from migrant workers abroad constitute a significant revenue stream for households, often funding agricultural inputs, , and small-scale investments, compensating for limited industrial and high rates. Emerging initiatives, notably the Balakot Hydropower Development Project—a 300 MW run-of-river plant on the —advanced to its main construction phase following river diversion and closure on October 25, 2025, with expected annual output of 1.144 billion kWh to bolster regional and generate construction-related jobs.

Transportation and Connectivity

Balakot's transportation infrastructure centers on road networks, with no dedicated railway station or airport within the town. The primary route is the N-15 Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Highway, a 240-kilometer national highway that traverses Balakot, linking it southward to Mansehra and northward to the Kaghan Valley and beyond toward Chilas. This highway serves as the gateway for vehicular traffic, including private cars, buses, and trucks, supporting both local commuting and tourism to higher valleys like Naran, though the upper sections remain seasonal due to snowfall and landslides. Access from major urban centers relies on integration with the Hazara Motorway (M-15), which connects to ; from there, the N-15 extends approximately 60 kilometers to Balakot, totaling about 157 kilometers from and taking roughly three hours by car under favorable conditions. Public transport options include intercity buses from or to Balakot, operated by private companies, followed by shared jeeps or taxis for intravalley travel along narrower, winding roads prone to congestion during peak tourist seasons. The nearest operational airport is (ISB), situated 120 kilometers southeast, with smaller facilities like Airport 27 kilometers away but limited in commercial service. The inflicted significant damage on local connectivity, including the collapse or partial failure of bridges like the Balakot Bridge over the and landslides blocking the N-15, isolating the area for weeks. efforts, supported by national and international , restored and upgraded roads with improved seismic standards, enhancing post-disaster and reducing travel times compared to pre-earthquake conditions. Current challenges include vulnerability to natural hazards and occasional toll disputes on the N-15, but the network supports essential goods transport and economic links to broader .

Militancy and Security Challenges

Historical Context of Extremism

The roots of in Balakot trace back to 19th-century jihadist movements, notably the defeat and martyrdom of Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi and Shah Ismail at the in May 1831, where they led an anti-Sikh and anti-British uprising influenced by Wahhabi and Ahl-i-Hadith ideologies. This event imbued the site with symbolic significance as a cradle of martyrdom and resistance for subsequent Islamist groups, as noted by historian , who describes Balakot as a "spot greatly revered" in jihadist traditions. The , originating from the seminary established in 1866 in British India, further shaped the region's religious landscape, emphasizing scripturalist reform and opposition to colonial rule, which resonated in Pashtun areas of present-day . The modern surge in accelerated during the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979 to 1989, when , particularly its tribal and settled districts, became a logistical hub for fighters supported by Pakistani state agencies, funding, and U.S. aid channeled through madrasas promoting Deobandi-Wahhabi interpretations of . This period radicalized local Pashtun populations, with returning fighters and ideologues establishing networks that evolved into anti-state militancy, as seen in the persistence of jihadist hubs in areas like that spilled over into , where Balakot is located. Post-2001 U.S. invasion of displaced and elements into Pakistan's border regions, intensifying infiltration into districts including , where pre-9/11 training camps for Kashmiri militants in Batrassi forests were shuttered but reactivated by 2005 amid political instability and ethnic tensions. In Balakot specifically, (JeM) established one of its inaugural training camps around 2000, shortly after the group's formation by following his release in the 1999 hijacking; the camp, initially led by Saifur Rehman Saifi and later associated with Yousuf Azhar, focused on preparing fidayeen (suicide) squads linked to attacks such as the 2002 Islamabad church bombing. The site's forested terrain and proximity to Valley facilitated operations, while the enabled JeM-affiliated groups to expand influence through relief efforts, raising recruitment concerns. By the late 2000s, spillover from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in neighboring —cleared in Pakistan's 2009 Operation Rah-i-Rast—drew militants into Mansehra's peripheries, including Balakot, with attacks on NGOs like World Vision (March 2010) and (February 2008) signaling growing Talibanization and the presence of 10-15 militant factions, including escapees from and .

Jaish-e-Mohammed Presence and Activities

(JeM), a Deobandi jihadist group designated as a terrorist organization by the and multiple governments, maintained a presence in Balakot through operation of a complex in the nearby Jaba area of , province. This facility, spanning multiple structures including administrative buildings and training halls, functioned as a front for militant activities while providing religious instruction. Indian intelligence assessments identified it as a major training hub capable of housing 300 to 500 personnel, with over 200 militants present as of early 2019, under the leadership of Yusuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM founder and a key operative in prior attacks. Pakistani authorities described the site solely as a religious , denying militant use and restricting independent access to verify claims. JeM's activities at the Balakot facility centered on , ideological , and training for operations targeting and civilians, particularly in . Recruits, often drawn from local Pashtun and communities, underwent courses in small arms handling, explosives, and tactics, with the serving as a transit point for infiltrators crossing into via four established routes through Pakistan-occupied . Technical surveillance prior to detected around 300 active mobile devices at the site, indicating high occupancy during training cycles. The group integrated the into its broader network of over a dozen such institutions across , using them to disseminate anti- and prepare fighters for high-profile assaults, consistent with JeM's history of claiming responsibility for attacks like the 2001 Indian Parliament siege and 2016 airbase raid. Evidence of JeM's operational role includes confirming pre-strike like halls and ammunition storage, alongside admissions from captured operatives linking Balakot trainees to cross-border incursions. While has periodically cracked down on JeM under pressure—such as arrests following UN sanctions—analysts note the group's resilience through front organizations and safe havens in , where Balakot's remote terrain facilitated covert activities. Post-2019 assessments indicated partial reactivation of similar facilities in the region, underscoring ongoing challenges in disrupting JeM's despite denials of terrorist intent.

2019 Balakot Airstrike

Background and Pulwama Trigger

The conflict over , rooted in the 1947 partition of British India, has involved multiple wars and persistent cross-border terrorism, with Pakistan-based groups conducting attacks in Indian-administered to challenge Indian control. Groups like (JeM), founded in 2000 by after his release in a hostage exchange, have targeted Indian security forces and civilians, aiming to establish Pakistani over the region through jihadist . JeM, designated a terrorist organization by multiple governments including the , operates training camps in Pakistan's and provinces, often with alleged tacit support from elements within Pakistan's (ISI), though Pakistan denies state involvement. Prior incidents, such as the 2016 Uri army base attack attributed to JeM, had prompted Indian surgical strikes across the , escalating bilateral tensions but failing to deter further militancy. On February 14, 2019, a bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of the (CRPF) in , , killing 40 personnel in the deadliest attack on forces in the region since the 1980s . The attacker, 22-year-old Adil Ahmad Dar, a local recruit, detonated approximately 300 kilograms of explosives sourced from Pakistan-based handlers, as detailed in India's chargesheet. JeM publicly claimed responsibility via a video statement from Masood Azhar's brother, Abdul Rauf Asghar, framing the assault as retaliation for actions in and highlighting the group's infiltration networks. linked the operation to JeM's headquarters in , where planning and logistics originated, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat. The attack intensified calls in for decisive retaliation, with Narendra Modi's government vowing to isolate internationally and pursue perpetrators beyond the , viewing it as evidence of 's failure to dismantle terror infrastructure despite prior undertakings like the 2004 joint anti-terrorism commitments. This triggered preparations for airstrikes on JeM facilities, marking a shift toward pre-emptive action against non-state actors harbored in , amid accusations that Islamabad's denial of involvement masked systemic support for proxies to wage . The incident's scale—exceeding prior JeM operations like the 2001 Parliament attack—galvanized domestic consensus for crossing red lines on sovereignty, setting the stage for the response.

Execution of the Indian Strike

On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force executed an airstrike targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp situated in a forested area near Balakot town in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The target was selected based on intelligence assessments identifying it as a major facility for recruiting, training, and arming terrorists, capable of accommodating up to 500 militants at a time. This marked the first Indian airstrike on Pakistani mainland territory since the 1971 war. The operation involved multiple Mirage 2000 multi-role fighter jets from the Indian Air Force's No. 1 Squadron, based at airbase, which crossed the into Pakistani airspace to deliver the payload. These aircraft were equipped with Israeli-developed Spice 2000 precision-guided munitions, converted from unguided bombs into smart weapons using electro-optical and GPS guidance for enhanced accuracy even in adverse weather. Approximately four such bombs were dropped on the camp's structures, including dormitories and administrative buildings, as later acknowledged by Pakistan's military in their briefing. The jets reportedly maintained low altitudes to minimize detection during ingress and egress, completing the mission without reported losses. Post-strike, India's publicly confirmed the action as a non-military, pre-emptive measure focused solely on terrorist infrastructure, emphasizing no Pakistani military or civilian targets were engaged. The Indian government released coordinates of the strike site (34°22'11"N 73°21'10"E) to corroborate the location's terrorist linkages, though detailed tactical timelines and flight paths remain classified by the IAF.

Pakistani Response and Aerial Engagement

On February 27, 2019, Pakistan initiated Operation Swift Retort as a retaliatory measure following India's airstrike on Balakot the previous day. Pakistani officials stated that a formation of , including F-16s and JF-17s, crossed the into Indian-administered to target sites such as air defense installations near and other positions, but deliberately released munitions short of the intended targets to demonstrate precision capabilities without causing significant damage or escalation. The operation involved up to 25 Pakistani , supported by airborne early warning systems, aiming to restore deterrence while avoiding full-scale conflict. Indian Air Force jets, including MiG-21 Bisons, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s, intercepted the incursion, leading to a brief over the LoC. Pakistan's reported downing two Indian aircraft—a MiG-21 and a Su-30MKI—using missiles fired from F-16s, with wreckage of the MiG-21 displayed publicly in to substantiate the claim. The pilot of the downed MiG-21, , ejected and was captured by Pakistani forces on the ground in ; he was released two days later on March 1, 2019, as a "peace gesture" amid international calls for . confirmed the loss of the MiG-21 but denied the Su-30MKI was hit, attributing the engagement to effective countermeasures that forced Pakistani jets to retreat without confirmed losses on their side. Pakistan maintained that no aircraft were lost in the skirmish, emphasizing superior tactics and electronic warfare that jammed Indian radars and missiles. A subsequent U.S. verification of Pakistan's F-16 fleet inventory confirmed all jets were accounted for, undermining Indian assertions of downing one F-16 with an R-73 missile from Abhinandan's MiG-21, which relied on radar tracks and recovered AMRAAM fragments without physical wreckage or independent corroboration. The aerial clash lasted approximately 30 minutes, involved beyond-visual-range missile exchanges, and marked the first such combat between the two air forces since 1999, with Pakistan claiming tactical success in penetrating Indian airspace and extracting forces intact.

Competing Claims and Evidence Assessment

Indian officials claimed the destroyed a training complex in Balakot, eliminating approximately 300 terrorists, including high-value targets, based on intelligence estimates of occupancy and pre-dawn timing to maximize casualties. Pakistani authorities countered that the munitions struck open ground or forested areas adjacent to the madrassa, causing no structural damage to buildings and resulting in zero militant deaths, with any debris attributable to fallen trees rather than bomb impacts. High-resolution commercial satellite imagery captured before and after February 26, 2019, by providers such as and analyzed by indicated intact rooftops and facades on the primary structures, with no visible craters, , or thermal signatures consistent with recent explosions in the alleged camp area. Analysts from the Australian Strategic Policy (ASPI), reviewing similar imagery, concluded the strikes likely missed the intended buildings by tens of meters due to possible errors in guidance or targeting coordinates, yielding negligible to terrorist infrastructure. India declined to release photographic or forensic supporting casualty figures, citing operational , which fueled amid the absence of independent corroboration such as local reporting or intercepted communications confirming mass deaths. Open-source investigations, including those by the Digital Forensic Research Lab, found bomb strike locations via geolocated debris but aligned them with Pakistani accounts of peripheral impacts rather than direct hits on occupied facilities. Government assertions from both sides carry inherent incentives for exaggeration—India to demonstrate resolve post-Pulwama, Pakistan to minimize perceived vulnerability—rendering commercial satellite data, which resists manipulation and provides timestamped empirical baselines, the most credible assessor of physical outcomes, pointing to limited or absent success in inflicting claimed destruction.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout

The responded to the with widespread calls for restraint and de-escalation, emphasizing the risks of conflict between two nuclear-armed states. Secretary-General urged both and to exercise "maximum military restraint" and resolve issues through dialogue, following the strikes on February 26 and subsequent aerial engagements on February 27. Similar appeals came from the , where High Representative called for "utmost restraint" and the resumption of diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation. The encouraged de-escalation while implicitly supporting India's counter-terrorism rationale, with stating on February 26 that Washington recognized India's right to self-defense after the attack but pressed both sides to avoid further military action and urged to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. , 's close ally, adopted a neutral stance by calling for restraint, respect for sovereignty, and bilateral dialogue to stabilize the region, without endorsing India's claims of striking a camp. expressed solidarity with India's fight against , with conveying support to Prime Minister on February 28 for measures against terror financing. Diplomatic fallout was limited and short-lived, with no formal sanctions or prolonged isolation imposed on either side. Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights and suspended , but released captured Indian pilot on March 1 as a "peace gesture," reportedly facilitated by U.S. diplomatic pressure. The crisis subsided without broader multilateral intervention, though it highlighted 's challenges in gaining unequivocal support for denying the strike's impact, as even prioritized regional stability over partisan backing. leveraged the episode to advocate for global recognition of cross-border strikes against non-state actors, influencing subsequent discussions on terrorism designations for groups like .

Strategic and Security Aftermath

The Balakot airstrike of February 26, , represented a doctrinal pivot for , establishing pre-emptive strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan's mainland as a viable option beyond the , thereby altering the asymmetry in cross-border retaliation norms previously confined to limited incursions like the 2016 surgical strikes. This shift signaled India's intent to impose costs on state-supported terrorism without awaiting full-scale war, though it risked controlled escalation in a nuclear dyad. Security-wise, the operation did not yield verifiable degradation of Jaish-e-Mohammed's operational capacity, as Pakistan's tolerance for militant proxies endured, with the group retaining sanctuary and recruitment networks in ; subsequent attacks, including those attributed to JeM, underscored the persistence of proxy warfare as a core Pakistani strategy. The rapid —marked by Pakistan's return of captured Indian pilot on March 1, 2019—averted immediate nuclear thresholds but exposed vulnerabilities in air superiority, prompting to accelerate investments in beyond-visual-range missiles and integrated air defenses. Longer-term, Balakot reinforced India's proactive deterrence posture, influencing responses to later provocations and contributing to a 2021 ceasefire agreement along the that reduced cross-border firing incidents by over 80% in its initial years, though sporadic violations persisted. , claiming tactical victory via the downing of an MiG-21, bolstered its narrative of credible second-strike capabilities, yet faced heightened international scrutiny, culminating in the UN Security Council's listing of JeM leader as a global terrorist on May 1, 2019, after years of blockage. This outcome reflected diplomatic leverage from the crisis but highlighted systemic challenges in enforcing sanctions against Pakistan-based groups.

References

  1. [1]
    [PDF] Surface rupture of the 2005 Kashmir, Pakistan, earthquake, and its ...
    Most of the surface rupture follows the preexisting traces of several active faults or fault segments, collectively called the Balakot-Bagh fault, the main part ...
  2. [2]
    The Kashmir earthquake of October 8, 2005: Impacts in Pakistan
    Feb 28, 2006 · Damage in Balakot was directly related to fault rupture. In Abbotabad, damage was due to local site response in the Cantonmentarea that was ...
  3. [3]
    Kashmir earthquake of 2005 | Impact, Response, & Facts - Britannica
    Oct 1, 2025 · At least 79,000 people were killed and more than 32,000 buildings collapsed in Kashmir, with additional fatalities and destruction reported in ...
  4. [4]
    Statement by Foreign Secretary on 26 February 2019 on the Strike ...
    Feb 26, 2019 · On 14 February 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by a Pak based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad, leading to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans ...
  5. [5]
    Satellite images show buildings still standing at Indian bombing site
    Mar 6, 2019 · ... Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, March 4, 2019. ... airstrike. Until now, no high-resolution satellite images were ...
  6. [6]
    Surgical Strike in Pakistan a Botched Operation? | by @DFRLab
    Feb 28, 2019 · ... Balakot town in ... Using open-source evidence and satellite imagery, @DFRLab was able to confirm the location of the Indian airstrike ...
  7. [7]
    India's strike on Balakot: a very precise miss? | The Strategist
    Mar 27, 2019 · India's recent air strike on a purported Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp in Balakot in Pakistan on 26 February suggests that precision strike is still an art ...
  8. [8]
    Where is Balakot, Pakistan on Map Lat Long Coordinates
    Latitude and longitude coordinates are: 34.539665, 73.350235. Balakot is a small town in the district of Mansehra in north eastern Pakistan. It it notorious for ...Missing: terrain rivers
  9. [9]
    Study the seasonal trend analysis and probability distribution ... - NIH
    Longitude, Elevation/Height a.m.s.l.. Skardu (P.B.O), 35° 18′, 75° 41′, 2317.0 ... Balakot, 34° 33′, 72° 21′, 995.40 meter. Kotli, 33° 31′, 73° 54′, 614.0 meter.
  10. [10]
    Balakot - Jatland Wiki
    May 28, 2022 · Balakot is located on the right bank of the Kunhar River. It is almost at two third of the length of river from it its origin at Lake Dharam Sar deep in the ...
  11. [11]
    [PDF] avalanche hazard in kaghan valley, Himalaya range, pakistan
    Valley-side relief is on the order of 2000 metres. Valley bottom elevations range from 900 metres in Balakot to over 4000 metres at Babusar Pass, but most of ...Missing: meters | Show results with:meters
  12. [12]
    Balakot Through The Prism - Graana.com
    Feb 11, 2024 · Situated in the heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balakot is cradled by the breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan foothills. Its geographic ...
  13. [13]
    Kunhar River Kayaking Expeditions - Incredible Pakistan
    The River joins with Jhelum River at confluence just outside Muzaffarabad, in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir province, Pakistan.
  14. [14]
    Balakot Climate & Temperature
    ➀ Balakot at 981 m/ 3219 ft has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). ➁ Average temperature in Balakot is 18.5°C/ 65.4°F✓ Rainfall 1744.6mm/ 68.7in.Missing: data | Show results with:data
  15. [15]
    Impact of climate change on landslides along N-15 Highway ...
    The climate in Balakot is subtropical, and the mean annual maximum temperatures reach up to 27.3 °C. The region receives the highest recorded precipitation, ...
  16. [16]
    Climate BALAKOT - Climate data (415360) - Weather
    Climate BALAKOT Climate data: 1998 - 2025 ... These are the historical data that we have for this weather station. Select a year to see the months for which we ...
  17. [17]
    Trend analysis of historical and future precipitation projections over ...
    Oct 19, 2022 · In Khyber Pakhunkhwa, the highest annual rainfall was recorded in Malam Jabba (1,732 mm) followed by Balakot (1,567 mm) meteorological station, ...
  18. [18]
    Yearly & Monthly weather - Balakot, Pakistan - Weather Atlas
    Jan 29, 2024 · The most rainfall occurs in July with 384mm (15.12"), followed closely by August with 311mm (12.24"). Conversely, the least amount of rainfall ...
  19. [19]
    [PDF] the khyber pakhtunkhwa local government act, 2013.
    The act covers local governments, local areas, district, tehsil, and village councils, local finance, property, taxation, and supervision of local governments.
  20. [20]
    [PDF] the khyber pakhtunkhwa local government (amendment) act, 2019
    empowering local structures which are discussed further on. local government. Tehsil local government consists of the Chairman of. The City Council will ...
  21. [21]
    [PDF] audit report onthe accounts of town municipal administrations in ...
    District Mansehra has three TMAs, TMA Manserha, TMA Balakot, and. TMA Oggi. Each TMA office is managed by a Tehsil Municipal Officer. Each. TMA has its own ...
  22. [22]
    Administrative Structure of the Tehsil Municipal Administration
    TMA is headed by a Tehsil Nazim who is assisted by a Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) appointed by the provincial government. The TMO is the administrative ...
  23. [23]
    [PDF] AUDIT REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF TEHSIL MUNICIPAL ...
    Audit was conducted after understanding the business processes of TMAs. District Mansehra with respect to their functions, control structure and key controls.
  24. [24]
    [PDF] An Analysis of KP Local Government Act, 2013 as amended in 2019
    Under the new system, direct local elections will be held at the V&NC level and for the office of Chairman Tehsil Local Government and Mayor City Local ...
  25. [25]
    an assessment of local government dynamics in khyber pakhtunkhwa
    Aug 2, 2023 · PDF | This paper has explore the power dynamics of local-level governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2015 and 2022 elections.<|separator|>
  26. [26]
    Map of Tehsil Balakot, District Mansehra, KPK Province-Pakistan...
    Map of Tehsil Balakot, District Mansehra, KPK Province-Pakistan indicating surveyed Union Council Balakot and Kawai · Contexts in source publication · Citations.<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    https://agp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Policy/AR%2520AD%2520LG%2520RDD%2520Mansehra%25202015-16.pdf
  28. [28]
    [PDF] Local Government System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa A Historical ...
    The district governments have been assigned specified sources of own revenue generation. The second tier comprises Tehsil (Towns in. Peshawar) Municipal ...
  29. [29]
    Pakistan: IRIN - critiques of the 2005 quake reconstruction
    May 13, 2010 · Another critique of the reconstruction effort has been that there were too many layers of bureaucracy and that “parallel structures” slowed the ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  30. [30]
    A case study of the 2005 earthquake disaster in Pakistan
    On 24 October 2005, ERRA was constituted with the mandate to supervise the coordinative efforts, residual relief operations and the reconstruction process.<|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Earthquake Response in Pakistan - Habitat for Humanity GB
    Pakistan's Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority announced a US$3.5 billion, three-year recovery plan. Families building their homes to new ...
  32. [32]
    [PDF] analysis of site, situation and their impact on resettlement of
    After 2005. Kashmir Earthquake, the Government decided to restrict reconstruction activities at high risk areas of Balakot and its surroundings which were ...
  33. [33]
    New Balakot City remains a distant dream | The Express Tribune
    Jun 20, 2020 · In 2007, to implement the project, the government allocated 15,000 kanals of land for the resettlement of New Balakot City at Bakrial, away from ...
  34. [34]
    Kashmir earthquake: Broken city, broken promises - BBC News
    Oct 8, 2015 · The earthquake had affected the northern regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. An estimated 75,000 people were killed, mostly in Pakistan- ...
  35. [35]
    £300m earthquake aid 'misused by Zardari' - The Telegraph
    Aug 13, 2010 · International donors gave £3.5 billion to rebuild vast swaths of Pakistan's Kashmir and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces after the earthquake ...
  36. [36]
    (PDF) Natural Disasters and Built Environment: Reconstruction and ...
    The turning point in rebuilding and rehabilitation came in 2021 with a new plan from the government. While the project of New Balakot City remained intact, the ...
  37. [37]
    Ex Post Analysis of Disaster Recovery (Earthquake — 2005) in the ...
    Aug 9, 2025 · The Balakot town and its surroundings were almost totally destroyed by Earthquake – 2005. The government has abandoned this town for residential ...
  38. [38]
    https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/places/balakot-crucible-of-culture-to-casualty-of-war
  39. [39]
    [PDF] gazetteers: volume ia hazara district, 1907
    The old Gazetteer, which was compiled in 1884, was necessarily much out of date, and the whole has, in fact, been rewritten, with the exception of the account ...
  40. [40]
    Battle of Balakot 1831 - Jat Chiefs
    Nov 3, 2021 · The total strength of the troops under Sher Singh was about 5,000. He invested Balakot on all sides. The Syed had between 2,000 and 3,000 men.
  41. [41]
    Balakot and the Backstory of Jihad
    May 30, 2019 · On the morning of May 6th, 1831, one of the most decisive battles in India's history took place at Balakot, the very site in Khyber ...
  42. [42]
    The Unvarnished Fanatic Syed Ahmad Barelvi was not a Freedom ...
    Sep 17, 2020 · Syed Ahmad Barelvi then fled to Balakot sometime in 1831. Meanwhile, the Sikhs had had enough of him. In the same year, a 10,000-strong body of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  43. [43]
    Battle of Balakot (1831): Foremost Wahabi Jihad crushed by Brave ...
    On 6th May 1831 the battle was fought at Balakot in which thousands of Mujahedeen army men were killed and their leaders Dehlvi And Barelvi were also beheaded.
  44. [44]
    [PDF] Muslim League's Civil Disobedience Movement against the NWFP ...
    Apr 22, 2025 · 25 Times of India, 23 April 1947. “In Hazara District, courts were regularly picketed in Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur, and in addition, ...
  45. [45]
    (PDF) Muslim League's Civil Disobedience Movement - Academia.edu
    25 Times of India, 23 April 1947. An Aspect of the Pakistan Movement 13 “In Hazara District, courts were regularly picketed in Mansehra, Abbottabad, and ...
  46. [46]
    The forgotten massacre - The Nation
    Dec 29, 2014 · The report mentioned above details the murder and arson committed by gangs of Muslims in Bafa, Shinkiari, Balakot and Mansehra (all of which are ...
  47. [47]
    [PDF] THE ROLE OF HAZARAS IN THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN
    During the rule of the British government in India, the Hazara region was a part of Punjab province, until 1901 when the western part of that province was ...
  48. [48]
    Electoral Politics in the North West Frontier Province of Colonial ...
    In this article, an attempt has been made to explore the electoral trends in the NWFP during the 1946 elections and the referendum in 1947.
  49. [49]
    Full article: Looting in the NWFP and Punjab: Property and Violence ...
    Oct 7, 2021 · This article documents organised communal violence which erupted in the NWFP and Punjab during 1946–47 using largely underutilised police and intelligence ...
  50. [50]
    [PDF] Provincial Autonomy and the Centre-Province Relations in Pakistan ...
    When the referendum was held in NWFP in July 1947 under the June 3rd Plan or the. Partition Plan, it offered only two choices to the voters; either to join ...
  51. [51]
    [PDF] table 1
    BALAKOT TEHSIL. 2,376. 310,339. 157,244. 153,078. 17. 102.72. 130.61. -. 5.7 ... * The numbers in table 1 based on all population of Pakistan including the ...
  52. [52]
    Balakot (Tehsil, Pakistan) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and ...
    Aug 21, 2024 · Census 2023-03-01. Balakot, Tehsil, 214,630, 273,257, 310,339. Balakot. 310,339 Population [2023] – Census. 2,376 km² Area. 130.6/km² Population ...
  53. [53]
    New blow to survivors with plan to wipe devastated town off the map
    Apr 26, 2006 · ... earthquake on October 8 2005: 79,000. The death toll in Balakot - a city with a population of 25,000: 2,500. The estimated number of schools ...
  54. [54]
    2005 earthquake: Balakot remembers its dead amid tears and sobs
    Oct 9, 2011 · The hillside town of Balakot, comprising 12 union councils with a population of 30,000 people, was completely destroyed by the earthquake on ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  55. [55]
    About Hazara Division
    Major Linguistic/Ethnic Groups: Hindkowans (predominantly in Haripur, Abbottabad & some parts of Mansehra districts). Pashtuns (Torghar, Mansehra, Battagram & ...
  56. [56]
    culture and heritage - Mansehra
    Mansehra District comprises of different groups of peoples from diverse ethnic backgrounds. ... The inhabitants of Mansehra speak Hindko, Pashto, Gojri and ...
  57. [57]
    [PDF] Role of Hindko in Multilingual Community: Issues of Language(s ...
    Hindko is the most widely spoken language in Mansehra, but its use is limited in formal settings, and its vitality is being damaged by reduced use.
  58. [58]
    cultural tourism in kaghan valley: potential and problems
    Aug 10, 2025 · Kaghan Valley Kaghan Valley constitutes the main part of Tehsil Balakot, comprising hilly tract of land between Gittidas Plain and Balakot City.<|separator|>
  59. [59]
    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Mansehra - - Pakistan Almanac
    Governmental Structure; Mansehra district​​ Under the Local Government Act, District Mansehra has 1 District Council constituted by general seats, seats reserved ...Missing: governance | Show results with:governance
  60. [60]
    [PDF] Mansehra Food Security Project in Pakistan - Concern
    In Mansehra district, major proportion of the cropped area (about 89 %) was devoted to the two food grain crops, maize (60 %) and wheat (29 %), followed by ...
  61. [61]
    Agriculture - Mansehra
    Mansehra's economy relies on agriculture, with 70% of the population involved. The district has fertile land, suitable weather, and sufficient rainfall, ideal ...Missing: profile | Show results with:profile
  62. [62]
    District Profile MANSEHRA Prepared By SMEDA, NWFP Small ...
    Economic Scenario of the district: Mansehra foremost economy depends on diverse alternatives such as, agriculture, Poultry, mining, tourism and reliance on ...
  63. [63]
    https://www.app.com.pk/business/balakot-hydropower-project-achieves-river-diversion-enters-main-construction-phase/
  64. [64]
    49055-007: Balakot Hydropower Development Project
    The project will provide financing to construct a 300 megawatt (MW) run-of-river hydro power plant located on the Kunhar river in Mansehra District, Khyber ...Missing: profile | Show results with:profile
  65. [65]
    Naran Kaghan - Tour & Travel Guide - Visit Swat Valley
    N15 Mansehra to Kaghan Valley, 88 km (55 miles), 2 hours 45 minutes. N15 – (National Highway 15) – Kaghan to Naran Road ... Balakot. Kaghan. Naran. Best Time to ...
  66. [66]
    Distance Islamabad — New Balakot in km, miles, route, direction
    Islamabad Is the capital of Pakistan. 157 km 97 miles. The distance between two points on the map, calculated using the available ...
  67. [67]
    How to get to Balakot from 2 nearby airports - Rome2Rio
    The nearest airport to Balakot is Islamabad (ISB) Airport which is 120.4 km away. ... Airports near Mattinata Station · Airports near Ocean Palms Ocho Rios ...Missing: railway | Show results with:railway
  68. [68]
    Balakot Valley and Village - VisitSilkRoad
    You can use Hazara Motorway to reach Balakot. BY Air: The nearest airport to Balakot is the Islamabad international airport. By Road: There is a 144 km ...
  69. [69]
    [PDF] damage to roads caused by oct. 8, 2005 north pakistan earthquake
    Some bridges and other road structures were damaged during the incident. Fig. 19 shows the Balakot Bridge on the Kunhar River, which was knocked off its bearing ...Missing: connectivity post-
  70. [70]
    [PDF] World Bank Document
    The earthquake of October 8, 2005 badly damaged three national highways, namely N-15, N-35, and. S-2 that link the rest of Pakistan to the disaster areas. Of ...
  71. [71]
    Why did the Jaish-e-Mohammad choose Balakot as one of its first ...
    Feb 27, 2019 · The Indian forces had struck the “biggest training camp” of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
  72. [72]
    The Historical Roots and Contemporary Dynamics of Extremism in ...
    Jan 17, 2024 · Examining the historical and geopolitical factors driving increased extremism in Pakistan.
  73. [73]
    The Hazara Division of Pakistan–Growing Talibanization amidst ...
    Apr 29, 2010 · The strategically located Hazara Division consists of five districts: Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram and Kohistan.
  74. [74]
    Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) - National Counterterrorism Center | Groups
    Contains many features across the full range of issues pertaining to international terrorism: terrorist groups, wanted terrorists, and technical pages on ...Missing: Balakot | Show results with:Balakot
  75. [75]
    Images show madrasa buildings standing after Indian attack claim
    Mar 6, 2019 · Satellite imagery shows at least six Jaish-e-Muhammad structures still standing on March 4 – six days after air raids.Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  76. [76]
    Balakot camp had over 200 terrorists, says official - The Hindu
    Feb 26, 2019 · The facility was headed by JeM chief Masood Azhar's brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar, says Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.<|control11|><|separator|>
  77. [77]
    No access to Pakistan religious school that India says it bombed
    Mar 8, 2019 · Pakistani security officials on Thursday prevented a Reuters team from climbing a hill in northeastern Pakistan to the site of a madrasa and ...
  78. [78]
    Balakot Trained Terrorists Used To Take 4 Routes Through PoK To ...
    Feb 27, 2019 · The Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, who were trained in the Balakot camp in Pakistan that was bombed by Indian fighter jets, used to take four ...
  79. [79]
    NTRO report confirms 300 active mobile links in JeM camp area
    Mar 4, 2019 · Balakot Airstrike: NTRO report confirms 300 active mobile links in JeM camp area ... Top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Maulana Ammar confesses to ...
  80. [80]
    Balakot Air Strike: What Unreleased Satellite Images Of The ... - NDTV
    Mar 13, 2019 · Balakot air strike: The image accessed by NDTV is of the Markaz, the hostel for terrorists. The image is far clearer than any others published ...
  81. [81]
    Indian Army Chief Says Balakot Terror Camp Reactivated - YouTube
    Sep 23, 2019 · ... camp in Balakot. There are close ... 14:27 · Go to channel · Ultimate Balakot 'PROOF', Jaish-e-Mohammed terror training camp CAUGHT ON CAMERA.
  82. [82]
    India-Pakistan tensions: A brief history of conflict - Al Jazeera
    May 9, 2025 · In October 1947, the first war over Kashmir broke out when armed Pakistani tribesmen invaded the territory. The monarch of Kashmir asked India ...
  83. [83]
    National Counterterrorism Center | Terrorist Groups - DNI.gov
    Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM), meaning Army of Mohammad, is a Pakistan-based Sunni terrorist group that seeks to establish Pakistani sovereignty over Kashmir.
  84. [84]
    Pulwama attack: What is militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad? - BBC
    Feb 15, 2019 · Pulwama attack aftermath February 2019 Reuters It was the single deadliest attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
  85. [85]
    The India–Pakistan security crisis
    A 14 February Jaysh e-Mohammad terrorist attack killing Indian military personnel in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir triggered the worst escalation of ...Missing: background | Show results with:background<|separator|>
  86. [86]
    Kashmir suicide attack kills dozens of Indian security forces | News
    Feb 14, 2019 · 'Local attacker'. Officials described Thursday's incident as a “fidayeen” (human bomb) attack, suspected to have been carried out by 20-year-old ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  87. [87]
    Pulwama terror attack: Pakistan continues to evade responsibility ...
    Aug 27, 2020 · pulwama attack chargesheet, pulwama attack jem, jaish e mohammad pulwama ... perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack. Story continues below ...
  88. [88]
    Jaish-e-Mohammad - Australian National Security
    Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is a Pakistan-based Sunni Islamist extremist organisation which primarily conducts terrorist attacks in the Indian-administered region ...
  89. [89]
    Balakot: Indian air strikes target militants in Pakistan - BBC
    Feb 26, 2019 · Relations between the countries were strained by a militant attack on Indian troops in Kashmir earlier this month. India accuses Pakistan of ...
  90. [90]
    Three Years After Balakot: Reckoning with Two Claims of Victory
    Feb 28, 2022 · After the Balakot crisis both India and Pakistan claimed victory, which has implications for the use of military force in a future crisis.
  91. [91]
    Exclusive: Why Air Force Has Not Shown Video Proof Of Balakot Strike
    Apr 25, 2019 · Balakot airstrike: The Indian Air Force (IAF) planned to use the Crystal Maze missile in conjunction with SPICE 2000 penetrator bombs that ...
  92. [92]
    Operation Balakot: Inside details of the Surgical Strike 2.0
    Feb 26, 2019 · ... Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. | AP. Mayank ... ALSO READ: Balakot airstrike: IAF jets dropped four bombs during operation, confirms Pakistan Army.
  93. [93]
    Pakistan marks four years since Operation Swift Retort
    Feb 27, 2023 · Nevertheless, the Indians opted to carry out an airstrike across the border on an imaginary terrorist training camp on the Pakistani side.
  94. [94]
    Indian Radar Data That Supposedly Proves They Downed An F-16 ...
    Apr 8, 2019 · The IAF claims as many as 11 F-16s in total took part in the Pakistani strikes on targets in areas of Kashmir under Indian control. Additional ...
  95. [95]
    'Over 300 casualties' in Balakot airstrikes, but who's the 'source'?
    Mar 11, 2019 · India Today's report said: “As per an initial estimate, around 300 terrorists are believed to have been killed in the airstrike, sources said.” ...
  96. [96]
    Satellite Imagery Confirms India Missed Target In Pakistan Airstrike
    Mar 8, 2019 · India announced last week that it had destroyed the suspected Pakistan-based terror camp in its first airstrike on its neighour since 1971.
  97. [97]
    India refuses to share proof of strikes in Pakistan amid doubts of ...
    Mar 2, 2019 · A top Indian minister said on Saturday the government would not share proof that a very large number of militants were killed in air strikes inside Pakistan ...
  98. [98]
    Guterres appeals for 'maximum restraint' over Jammu and Kashmir ...
    Aug 8, 2019 · A Pakistani-based militant group later claimed responsibility, leading to a retaliatory air strike by the Indian armed forces. On Thursday, ...Missing: Balakot | Show results with:Balakot
  99. [99]
    https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/58829/statement-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-recent-escalation-tensions_en
  100. [100]
    https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/02/289733.htm
  101. [101]
    https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1641180.shtml
  102. [102]
    https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/31104/President+Putin+speaks+to+PM+Modi
  103. [103]
    China's reaction to Balakot airstrikes exposes Pakistan's ...
    Mar 11, 2019 · By taking a neutral position between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack in Pulwama and the airstrikes in Balakot, China has revealed ...
  104. [104]
    https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/entity/jaish-i-mohammed
  105. [105]
    https://warontherocks.com/2019/10/climbing-the-escalation-ladder-india-and-the-balakot-crisis/
  106. [106]
    Operation Sindoor and the Evolution of India's Military Strategy ...
    again to ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  107. [107]
    A Smoldering Volcano: Pakistan and Terrorism after Balakot
    Mar 14, 2019 · The crisis surrounding the recent Indian air strikes on Pakistan at Balakot has subsided—for now. But the confusing welter of claims and ...Missing: independence movement