(Image source from: indianmoney.com)

Soon after the Indian Air Force struck in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad has destroyed terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC), leaders across the political lines raved about the air strike.

Union minister Prakash Javadekar was the first prominent voice from the government to react on the strike. “This was a necessary step for the security forces. The entire country is backing the forces now”.

Indian National Congress (INC) President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying: “I salute the pilots of the IAF.”

I salute the pilots of the IAF.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 26, 2019

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also tweeted saying this is only the beginning.

ये मोदी का हिंदुस्तान है, घर में घुसेगा भी और मारेगा भी,
Air Force carried out aerial strike early morning today at terror camps across the LoC and Completely destroyed it
एक एक क़तरा ख़ून का हिसाब होगा !ये तो एक शुरुआत है .. ये देश नहीं झुकने दूंगा...#Balakot #Surgicalstrike2 pic.twitter.com/fqYJgWxuqX

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) February 26, 2019

Salute to the #IndianAirForce https://t.co/uyR36hRt3d

— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) February 26, 2019

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also praised the Air Force for “striking terror targets.”

I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2019

Another Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi observed that the Air Force’s mission was a “hugely successful” one as it penetrated deep into LoC.

Balakot which is quite far out into the LOC is a deep strike and purportedly where Hafeez Saeed gives a lot of his addresses. If IAF penetrated that deep without casualties it's a highly successful mission.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 26, 2019

Indian Air Force Strikes at Balakot don't have official word yet but the Helter skelter by Pakistan seems like something big has happened. The IAF has gone beyond POK & into Pakistan near their capital while they were busy counting alms received from Saudi & China.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 26, 2019

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed similar reactions.

We salute bravery of our pilots and Air Force. We are blessed and proud of our forces. Jai Hind

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) February 26, 2019

I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 26, 2019

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah saying this is not a “small strike,” tweeted that the onus is now on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who had said that Pakistan will retaliate if India takes action.

Wow, if this is true this was not a small strike by any stretch of imagination but will wait for official word, should any be forthcoming. https://t.co/bOFt7SXl43

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2019

The problem now becomes PM Imran Khan’s commitment to his country - “Pakistan will not think about responding, Pakistan WILL respond”. What shape will response take? Where will response be? Will India have to respond to Pakistan’s response?

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2019

-Sowmaya Sangam