‘Salute the Pilots’: Rahul Gandhi, Others React to IAF Air Strike

Political reactions started pouring in soon after the air strikes were confirmed.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Producer: Furqan Faridi

Video Editor: Mohd. Irshad Alam & Abhishek Sharma

Soon after the air force struck in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad, destroying terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC), leaders across political lines hailed the air strike.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying, “I salute the pilots of the IAF.”

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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”.

BJP President Amit Shah said that the strike showcases the resolve of ‘New India’.

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

Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh tweeted saying that India will retaliate ‘harder and stronger’ every time it gets attacked.

The party’s general secretary and state in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir Ram Madhav reacted praising the forces and the Prime Minister.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, “ We've always said that whatever action the forces take for protection of this nation, all of us will support them in unity, they are taking action against the terrorists in Pakistan. I congratulate them”

The party’s spokesperson Pawan Khera also echoed similar sentiments.

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

Party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu took to Twitter in his typical style.

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

His party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tweeted out a clipping from the movie Border.

TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee termed the IAF as ‘ India's Amazing Fighters’.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed similar reactions.

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

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti appealed Pakistan to refrain from ‘further escalation’.

Actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan said that India is proud of the ‘heroes’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswamy said, “I extend my greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to whose bold functioning, a successful air strike has been carried out which has demolished terror camps in Pakistan”.