The Indian airstrike on Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26, 2019, was purportedly aimed at a militant training camp, according to Indian claims. However, Pakistan denied the presence of any such facility, stating that the Indian jets had dropped their payload in an uninhabited forested area, causing no damage or casualties. Subsequent visits by both local and international media corroborated Pakistan’s stance, confirming that the site lacked any evidence of a terrorist training camp. In response, Pakistan adopted a comprehensive strategy involving military, political, and diplomatic measures. On February 27, 2019, during the Operation Swift Retort, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) downed two Indian fighter jets. One of the captured Indian pilots was later released as a gesture of goodwill. Diplomatically, Pakistan swiftly condemned the airstrike on the international stage, lodging a formal complaint with the United Nations.
The international community remained largely silent on India’s actions against Pakistan, with no direct condemnations—only general calls for restraint. Following the February 27 events, U.S. officials told Foreign Policy journalist Lara Seligman that a physical count confirmed none of Pakistan’s F-16s were missing. The National Bureau of Asian Research noted that the Modi government’s misrepresentations of the Balakot airstrike—such as false claims of a destroyed terrorist camp and a downed Pakistani F-16—have raised U.S. concerns over New Delhi’s credibility in an already tense regional landscape.
The Pakistan Air Force’s operation exposed weaknesses in India’s defense technology, particularly within its Air Force. According to experts and think tanks, some linked to aircraft manufacturers, the downing of Indian jets was seen as an “embarrassment” for the Indian Air Force, as reported by Foreign Policy’s Pentagon correspondent. Meanwhile, Beijing praised Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts and urged the international community to acknowledge them in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan de-escalation.
Last week, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, acting president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, addressed these issues in speech at a conference titled 27th February: An Affirmation of Pakistan’s Resolve to the Kashmir Conflict, Peace, and Stability organized by the Centre for International Strategic Studies, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CISS AJK). The conference commemorated the events of February 2019. He noted that, with strong U.S. support, India has adopted a strategy combining advanced technology with military assertiveness to counter China’s rise. Western nations continue to provide India with technology, weapons, and other resources, while India strengthens its position through alliances like the Quad. President Trump’s remarks during Modi’s U.S. visit about the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets, along with broader Western assistance for India’s military and technological advancements, highlight a strategic alignment with significant implications for regional power dynamics.
Akbar also spoke on India’s rapid nuclear and missile modernization, including the development of ICBMs, hypersonic weapons, precision-guided missiles, and enhanced counterforce capabilities. Foreign direct investment in Indian private enterprises manufacturing missile components is accelerating this trend and may facilitate India’s expansion into missile exports. The shortcomings of current missile control regimes further complicate efforts to regulate these advancements.
The United States has responded cautiously to India’s military advancements while imposing sanctions on Pakistan’s missile program based on misconceptions. This selective approach not only reinforces India’s assertiveness but also weakens the credibility of international scrutiny. Such support may give India a false sense of security, increasing the risk of further escalation and miscalculations similar to the Balakot incident. As India pursues military modernization, the consequences extend beyond regional stability to broader international security.
To assert itself as a dominant regional power, India is likely to persist in adopting policy measures similar to those employed in Balakot. The key lesson from the Balakot incident is the international community’s muted response to India’s actions on February 26, 2019. Unless Pakistan strengthens its diplomatic, economic, and political standing, India will continue leveraging global support to its advantage. Given India’s extensive strategic influence, Pakistan must remain vigilant, counter hostile narratives, and take the lead in diplomatic efforts to challenge misinformation, particularly from India.
Author
Nazia Sheikh, Research Officer at Center for International Strategic Studies AJK.
