The airstrikes conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in response to the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 represent a significant moment in modern South Asian military history. The operation, its outcomes, and the subsequent aerial skirmishes with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) offer a lens into the complexities of military strategy, political influence on warfare, and the role of information warfare in shaping narratives.
Background: The Pulwama Attack and India’s Response
On 14 February 2019, a suicide bomber associated with the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 Indian personnel and sparked a nationwide demand for retaliation. In response, the Indian government decided on an airstrike deep inside Pakistan—marking a shift from previous responses that were confined mainly to cross-border surgical strikes or diplomatic pressure.
On the night of February 25-26, 2019, the IAF launched Operation Bandar, a strategically significant move in which Mirage 2000 fighter jets targeted a JeM training camp in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The strike utilised SPICE 2000 precision-guided munitions with laser designation aimed at causing maximum damage to the terrorist infrastructure.
The Jabbar Top Strike and the Issues with Targeting
One of the key aspects of this operation, which has remained largely unexamined, is the reported strike on Jabbar Top. This was an integral part of the attack plan, but certain critical lapses reportedly impacted its effectiveness.
SPICE 2000 Bomb Setting Error. The bombs used in the strike were allegedly left in the day instead of night settings, significantly reducing their effectiveness in hitting designated targets in the darkness. This could result from procedural oversight, miscommunication, or operational coordination limitations.
Effectiveness Of The Strike. While initial reports claimed that over 300 terrorists were killed, later assessments, including those by foreign intelligence and satellite imagery, questioned the extent of the damage inflicted. The key challenge in verifying the strike results was the lack of independent, on-ground evidence.
Political Leverage Vs. Military Success. While the Indian government hailed the strike as a significant success, some experts believe it served more as a political statement than a purely military operation, given that its actual tactical success remains debated.
PAF’s Counter-Strike and the Abhinandan Incident
A day after the Jabbar Top strike, on 27 February 2019, the PAF launched a counter-air operation involving a mix of F-16s, JF-17s, and Mirage III/V aircraft. The objective was not to escalate into a full-scale war but to demonstrate Pakistan’s capability and response.
Air Engagement. The PAF strike package targeted the Brigade Headquarters (Bde HQ) in India. However, these bombs were reportedly dropped without guidance, making them ineffective beyond sending a symbolic message.
Attempt To Shoot Down Su-30MKI. The PAF engaged Indian air defences, and F-16s reportedly launched long-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles at IAF Su-30MKI fighter jets. The Su-30MKI, known for its advanced manoeuvrability, evaded the missiles by staying beyond their effective range.
The Abhinandan Episode. In the ensuing dogfight, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, piloting a MiG-21 Bison, engaged an F-16 and reportedly shot it down before being hit by a missile and ejecting across the Line of Control (LoC). He was captured and later released by Pakistan. The capture and return of Abhinandan became a defining moment in the crisis, with both countries leveraging the situation for domestic narratives.
The Role of Information Warfare in Shaping Narratives
The episode was marked by intense information warfare, underscoring the critical need for accurate and reliable information in modern conflicts.
Claiming An F-16 Kill. The IAF presented evidence that an F-16 had been shot down, citing radar signatures and debris, but Pakistan categorically denied any loss of an F-16. This claim remains contested, with U.S. sources later stating that all Pakistani F-16s were accounted for.
Narrative Control And Propaganda. Pakistan skillfully used media optics by broadcasting Abhinandan’s capture and tea-drinking moment on television, which played into the country’s domestic and international propaganda.
Indian Counter-Narrative. India showcased debris from an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, arguing that it proved Pakistan’s use of F-16s in the engagement—despite Pakistan’s earlier claims that F-16s had not participated.
Disputed Wreckage. India presented a fuselage fragment from an aircraft as part of the downed F-16, but Pakistan countered this claim by arguing it belonged to the downed MiG-21.
This battle of narratives underscores how modern conflicts are fought not just in the air but also in cyberspace and newsrooms, with perception management playing a complex and crucial role.
The Impact on India-Pakistan Deterrence and Strategy
The aerial engagement and subsequent political maneuvering raised critical strategic questions.
Nuclear deterrence and escalation control: One of the most striking aspects of this conflict was how both nations pushed deterrence boundaries without crossing into full-scale war. India’s Balakot strike was a direct attack on Pakistani territory, while Pakistan’s counter-response also penetrated Indian airspace.
Absence Of Further Escalation. Neither country escalated to a full-blown conflict despite the skirmish, demonstrating a degree of restraint likely influenced by international diplomatic pressure.
Political Vs. Military Victory. While the IAF and CRPF bore the brunt of the conflict in operational terms, the biggest winner was the Indian political leadership, which used the strike as a significant electoral tool ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Operational and Command-Level Consequences
Leadership Reshuffle. Reports suggested that the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) Western Air Command (WAC) was retired prematurely following the incident. Whether this directly resulted from operational failures or standard administrative reshuffling remains unclear.
Mi-17 Friendly Fire Incident. Another significant tragedy during the crisis was the accidental downing of an Indian Mi-17 helicopter by India’s air defence systems. This “weapons-free” environment led to a fatal misidentification, costing the lives of six IAF personnel.
Lessons Learned. The episode highlighted gaps in coordination, rules of engagement, and air defence protocols, leading to a re-evaluation of India’s integrated air defence command structures.
Conclusion
The Jabbar Top Strike, the broader Balakot operation, and the ensuing India-Pakistan aerial skirmish form a case study in modern warfare, deterrence, and information operations. While India achieved a strategic and political victory by signalling its willingness to retaliate across borders, the actual effectiveness of the strikes remains debated.
Key takeaways from the episode include: –
- Precision weapons require rigorous mission planning—The error in SPICE bomb settings reflects an area for improvement.
- Information warfare is crucial in modern conflict—The battle over narratives was as important as the air engagements.
- Nuclear deterrence is evolving—India and Pakistan tested their deterrence thresholds but carefully avoided full-scale war.
- Political implications can overshadow military realities—The episode played a significant role in India’s political discourse, especially in elections.
Ultimately, this episode underscores the blurring of lines between military operations, political manoeuvring, and media battles, making it a defining moment in contemporary India-Pakistan relations.