What is A Non-Military Preemptive Action?

What is A Non-Military Preemptive Action?

On Tuesday, 26 February 2019, the Government of India announced that Indian Airforce carried a non-military preemptive action against Jaish-e-Mohammad. They striked down three terrorist camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot, Muzzafarbad and Chakoti, Pakistan. The whole operation was carried out in 21 minutes and seen as the response to the 14 February 2019 Pulwama attack made by the Jaish-e-Mohammad fidayeen which killed 40 CRPF jawans. However, the question rises, what is non-military preemptive action.

In a press briefing, Vijay Gokhale, foreign secretary of India said they had received credible intelligence that the “JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and fidayeen jihadis were being trained for the purpose … In the face of imminent danger, a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary."

According to the Indian Defence experts, A non-military preemptive action can be defined as the strike targetting terrorist camps, not military or military installations and there is no civilian casualty. Such strike was done keeping in the United Nations and International laws in mind.

The Indian Airforce used the upgraded versions of Mirage 2000 to carry out the strikes. They are one of the best multirole fighters in the world. These combat aircraft were also used in 1999 Kargil War to destroy Pakistani intruder camps.