Continuous mock drills tired down Pakistani Radars and Quick Reactions Jets - then came the Strike

Before the strike at 3.45 am on Tuesday, the IAF tired down Pakistani air defences with a series of mock runs that kept its fighters and radars engaged. One of these took place near the Sri Ganganagar border in Rajasthan which was backed by early warning aircraft that were up in the air and long-range mid-air tankers. 

A Pak response was seen after its quick reaction jets scrambled for interception but the Indian jets turned back. 

Similarly, another run was made close to the Pathankot border, again putting the Pakistani air force under pressure and tiring out its air defences that were focused on the incoming planes. While the Indian jets were hovering close to the border, the main strike formation of a dozen fighters — a mix of Mirage-2000 and Su-30 MKI jets — headed towards the LoC for the cross-border attack. 

It is learnt that the Mirage-2000 fighters penetrated the LoC for less than 10 km as part of the strike run and emptied their SPICE-2000 munitions before turning back. The stretched Pak air force was unable to scramble jets in time to reach this strong Indian formation that was in and out of Pakistan in a matter of minutes. 

With such tactics, India has used its numerical superiority over Pakistan when it comes to combat aircraft. 

While a decision to deploy military for a response to the Pulwama attack was taken immediately after the suicide bombing, credible strike options were shared with the top leadership of the country on February 19 itself. 

An immediate approval was given to commence the mission at the required pace. 

Sources said while the planning for such a mission to hit terror targets in Pak had been in place even before the February 14 attack, specifics were worked out after approvals came into place. 

Air Marshal SB Deo, who retired as the IAF’s vice chief last September, said the force has been planning and practicing Balakot-type manoeuvres and operations for quite some time. “We have practised these kinds of strikes and have planned them. We have even practised with SPICE bombs as well, as we do with all our weapons. I compliment all involved for a perfect strike,” he told ET.

Source Link:http://www.defencenews.in/article/Continuous-mock-drills-tired-down-Pakistani-Radars-and-Quick-Reactions-Jets---then-came-the-Strike-583331