350 terrorists killed in LoC air strike, claims India

New Delhi - The sources said at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp.

Hundreds of terrorists and their trainers were shifted to a five-star, resort style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, news agency PTI said, citing Indian sources, and this movement provided the Indian forces with a "sitting duck target" for an air strike, which India claims killed up to 350 terrorists. Pakistan has denied any casualties, and said timely intervention of the Pakistani Air Force ensured the Indian forces retreated quickly.

According to sources, at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp, the biggest operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF personnel.

Everyone at the camp was sleeping at the time of the attack, the Indian sources said

According to intelligence, JeM had shifted many in-training terrorists and hardcore operatives, along with their trainers, to the Balakot camp, which has facilities for 500 to 700 people, and even has a swimming pool along with cooks and cleaners.

Fighter and other aircraft took off from several air bases in Western and Central commands at about the same time, the sources said. A small group of aircraft broke away from the swarm and headed to Balakot where "the sleeping terrorists were sitting ducks for the Indian bombing", said one source.

• India