Prime Minister Narendra Modi has disclosed he assumed that cloud cover and rain would prevent Pakistani radars from detecting Indian fighter planes and gave the decisive go-ahead for the Balakot air strikes when experts were confused about launching the operation in bad weather.
In the interview by TV channel News Nation on Saturday, PM Modi said, “The weather suddenly turned bad, there were clouds… heavy rain. There was a doubt about whether we can go in the clouds. During a review (of the Balakot plan), by and large the opinion of experts was – what if we change the date. I had two issues in mind. One was secrecy… second, I said I am not someone who knows the science. I said there is so much cloud and rain. There is a benefit. I have a raw wisdom, the clouds can benefit us too. We can escape the radar. Everyone was confused. Ultimately I said there are clouds… let’s proceed.”
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एयर स्ट्राइक की कहानी
पीएम मोदी की जुबानी। #DeshKeDilMeiModi pic.twitter.com/cSahYyw8KC
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 11, 2019
PM Modi’s comments on the Balakot air strike has stirred a huge debate, with reactions ranging from criticism to derision.
Reacting on Modi’s comments, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said: “National security is not something to be trifled with. Such an irresponsible statement from Modi is highly damaging. Somebody like this can’t remain India’s PM.”
National security is not something to be trifled with. Such an irresponsible statement from Modi is highly damaging. Somebody like this can’t remain India’s PM. https://t.co/wK992b1kuJ
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 11, 2019
While the Congress said, “(He) kept spreading jumla (big talk) for five years, thought the weather is cloudy, won’t come on the radar.”
Jumla hi fekta raha paanch saal ki sarkar mein,
Socha tha cloudy hai mausam,
Nahi aaunga radar mein. pic.twitter.com/xDeOg4Yq5K— Congress (@INCIndia) May 12, 2019
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While the National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter, “Pakistani radar doesn’t penetrate clouds. This is an important piece of tactical information that will be critical when planning future air strikes.”
Looks like the tweet got lost in the clouds. Luckily there are screen shots floating around to help pic.twitter.com/zSW7CsdhKL
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 11, 2019
In the early hours of February 26, Indian Air Force jets crossed over to Pakistani territory to target a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror training facility in Balakot. The operation was carried out days after over 40 soldiers were killed in Pulwama by a suicide bomber of the Jaish.