As the Director (Air Defence) of the Indian Air Force during the Balakot strike of February 26, 2019, I had the rare privilege—and immense responsibility—of being in charge of Mirage 2000 operations.
One of the most significant operations in our modern military history, it wasn’t just a mission; it was a statement, a meticulously planned response to a grave provocation, and a demonstration of India’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty.
The strike, carried out in the early hours targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp deep inside Pakistani territory, was a culmination of years of preparation, coordination, and strategic foresight.
For me, it was a career-defining experience—one that spanned the tense pre-strike planning, the adrenaline-charged execution, the critical post-strike battle damage assessment (BDA), daily briefings, debriefings, and the invaluable lessons we distilled from it all.
But beyond the operational details, what stands out most prominently in my mind is the aftermath: the marked reduction in cross-border terrorism and the crippling blow we delivered to Pakistan’s terror ecosystem.
The Prelude: A Nation Provoked
The Balakot strike didn’t happen in isolation. It was a direct response to the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 brave souls.
The nation was shaken, and the outrage was palpable. As Director (Air Defence), I could feel the weight of that moment—not just as a military officer but as an Indian.
The intelligence was clear: the attack bore the fingerprints of JeM, a Pakistan-based terror outfit that had long enjoyed impunity across the border. The directive was unequivocal—neutralize the threat, send a message, and do it decisively.
In the days that followed, the entire team was immersed in a whirlwind of activity. Pre-strike planning was an exercise in precision.
Pouring over intelligence inputs, imagery, and operational data to pinpoint the target—a sprawling JeM training facility in Balakot, nestled in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
This wasn’t just about hitting a camp; it was about dismantling a nerve center of terror that had been churning out radicals intent on bleeding India. The challenge was twofold: ensure the strike was surgically accurate to avoid collateral damage and maintain secrecy for Pakistan’s inevitable counter-narrative while simultaneously preparing our air defense grid for any retaliatory misadventure.
The Night Of Reckoning
The operation itself unfolded like clockwork, a testament to the professionalism of our aircrew, planners, and support teams.
On the night of February 25-26, Mirage 2000 jets, of which I was the Director, armed with precision-guided munitions, took off from bases in India, supported by an intricate web of airborne early warning systems, refuellers, and electronic warfare assets.
My role as Director (Air Defence) was to ensure the skies remained ours—monitoring radar feeds, coordinating with ground-based air defense units, and staying ahead of any Pakistani response. The tension in the ops room was electric yet controlled. Every blip on the screen, every radio call, carried the weight of a nation’s expectations.
The strike was over in minutes. The bombs hit their mark, obliterating the training camp. Initial reports confirmed what we’d hoped: a significant number of terrorists, trainers, and infrastructure had been wiped out. But my job didn’t end with the jets landing safely back home. The real test was just beginning.
Post-Strike: Assessing The Damage, Facing The Fallout
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) is often the unsung hero of any operation. In the hours and days after Balakot, the team worked tirelessly to piece together the results.
Satellite imagery, intercepted communications, and human intelligence painted a clear picture: the strike had been a resounding success. The camp was reduced to rubble, and the JeM leadership was thrown into disarray.
Estimates varied, but the consensus was that dozens of terrorists had been neutralized, with the psychological impact rippling far beyond the immediate body count.
Pakistan’s response was predictable—denial laced with bluster. They claimed the strike hit an empty hillside, that only “trees were damaged.” But the frantic activity on their side, the sudden crackdown on terror fronts, and the chatter we picked up told a different story.
As Director (Air Defence), I briefed the top brass daily, laying out the evidence and countering the disinformation campaign. Those briefings weren’t just about facts; they were about reinforcing confidence in our capabilities and preparing for the next phase.
And that phase came swiftly. On February 27, Pakistan launched a retaliatory strike, sending a fleet of jets toward Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Our air defense network—radars, surface-to-air missiles, and fighter intercepts—was ready. I’ll never forget the calm efficiency with which our boys scrambled MiG-21s to meet the threat.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s engagement with a Pakistani F-16, downing it before being shot down himself, was a moment of pride and anguish. Our defenses held firm, and Pakistan’s gambit failed. The message was clear: India could strike and defend with equal resolve.
The Bigger Picture: Breaking the Terror Backbone
What makes Balakot truly significant isn’t just the operation itself but its aftermath. In the months and years that followed, we saw a noticeable dip in cross-border terrorism.
The data backs this up—fewer infiltration attempts, fewer large-scale attacks, and a palpable sense of disruption in Pakistan’s terror machinery. Why? Because Balakot wasn’t a one-off; it was a paradigm shift.
For decades, Pakistan had relied on its “strategic depth” doctrine, using terror outfits as proxies while hiding behind the nuclear umbrella. Balakot shattered that illusion.
We proved we could hit them where it hurts, crossing the Line of Control (LoC) with impunity, and they couldn’t escalate without risking a full-scale war they weren’t prepared to fight.
The strike broke the terror network in more ways than one. First, it eliminated key operatives and infrastructure, forcing JeM and its ilk to scramble for survival.
Second, it exposed Pakistan’s complicity on the global stage—despite their denials, the world took note.
Third, and perhaps most crucially, it sent a psychological shockwave through the terror ecosystem. The camps that once operated with arrogance were now on edge, their handlers wary of the next Indian move.
I saw this reflected in the literature that crossed my desk in the months that followed—a terror apparatus rattled, disjointed, and struggling to regroup.
Lessons Learnt: A Blueprint For The Future
No operation this complex comes without lessons, and Balakot offered plenty. As I chaired debriefings and reviewed every aspect of the mission, a few key takeaways emerged.
First, integration is everything. Balakot’s success was due to the seamless coordination between air assets, intelligence agencies, and ground defenses.
Second, precision matters—not just in targeting but in messaging. We struck terror, not civilians, and that moral clarity strengthened our position.
Third, escalation control is an art. Pakistan’s response on February 27 was a test of our preparedness, and we passed it, keeping the conflict below the threshold of all-out war.
For me personally, Balakot was a masterclass in leadership under pressure. Managing the ops room, briefing the government, and keeping the team focused amidst the chaos taught me the value of clarity and composure. It also reinforced my belief in the Indian Air Force—not just as a fighting force but as a symbol of national will.
A Legacy Of Strength
Six years on, as I reflect on Balakot from the vantage point of February 26, 2025, its legacy endures. Cross-border terrorism hasn’t vanished, but its audacity has been curbed.
The terror networks that once thrived on Pakistani soil are shadows of their former selves, thanks in no small part to that one night in 2019. For me, it remains a great experience—not because of the adrenaline or the accolades, but because it showed what we’re capable of when resolve meets capability.
The Balakot strike wasn’t just a military victory; it was a statement of intent. As Director (Air Defence), I saw it unfold from the inside—the planning, the execution, the aftermath.
It was a privilege to serve during that chapter, to witness India take a stand, and to know that our actions made a difference. The skies we defended that night are quieter today because of it, and that, to me, is the true measure of success.
Jai Hind!
- Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (R) is COO, AutoMicroUAS. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the EurAsian Times’ views.
- He tweets at @mjavinod
