Opposition leaders applaud air force for ‘brave operation’

New Delhi, Feb26: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday was among several Opposition leaders who lauded the pre-dawn strike carried out by the Indian Air Force across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation by a dozen Mirage 2000 jets reportedly destroyed terror camps in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

"I salute the pilots of the IAF," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar also praised the armed forces for the strike. "I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces," tweeted Yadav, congratulating the IAF.

"Salute to the Indian Air Force for giving a befitting reply to the terrorists operating from POK [Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]" Pawar wrote on Twitter.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav said the country was proud of its pilots and the Air Force. "We salute the bravery of our pilots and the Air Force," he tweeted.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been confronting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance on several issues, also praised the Air Force. "IAF also means India's Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind" tweeted the Trinamool Congress chief.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan."

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh extended support for the activities carried out by the armed forces on Tuesday morning. "The IAF strikes have sent the much-needed signal to Pakistan and the terrorists it’s harboring – don't think you can get away with acts like the Pulwama attack," he tweeted.