Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday hailed the Indian Air Force for carrying out airstrikes on terrorist camps across the Line Of Control in Balakot, which the Centre described as a non-military preemptive action.
“I salute the Indian Air Force for having taken action to protect our country,” the CM told reporters after the air strike. He also tweeted congratulating the IAF.
Salute the #IndianAirForce for pre-dawn air strikes on terror camps in defence of our Nation. #JaiHind
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 26, 2019
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the IAF pilots for the pre-dawn attack, joining other leaders such as BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in lauding the armed forces.
?? I salute the pilots of the IAF. ??
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 26, 2019
BSP Chief Mayawati hailed the achievement of the IAF but at the same time took on the Narendra Modi government, saying had they given the armed forces free hand before the Pulwama terror attack, the dastardly crime would have been avoided.
जैश आतंकियों आदि के खिलाफ पीओके में घुसकर भारतीय वायुसेना के बहादुर जाँबाज़ों की साहसिक कार्रवाई को सलाम व सम्मान। काश हमारी सेना को फ्री हैण्ड बीजेपी की सरकार पहले दे देती तो बेहतर होता।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 26, 2019
I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 26, 2019
Hail the efforts of Indian Air Force.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 26, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also celebrated the IAF air strike, saying “IAF also means India’s amazing fighters”.
IAF also means India’s Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 26, 2019
Opposition party leaders, however, refused to give credit to the BJP-led government for giving nod to the strike.
