6 Years On: How IAF’s ‘Operation Bandar’ Crippled JeM in Balakot and Outmaneuvered Pakistan’s 4th-Gen F-16s

New Delhi, India - In the early hours of February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched Operation Bandar, a meticulously planned and precisely executed airstrike deep inside Pakistani territory, striking a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp in Balakot. This marked a historic shift in India’s counterterrorism strategy, as it was the first time since the 1971 Indo-Pak war that Indian fighter jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for an offensive strike.

The airstrikes were a direct response to the Pulwama terror attack, where a JeM suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF personnel on February 14, 2019. Pakistan had long been accused of harbouring and supporting terror groups like JeM, and India decided that the time for mere diplomatic posturing was over.

The operation not only demonstrated India’s unwavering resolve against cross-border terrorism but also left the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) completely blindsided, forcing it into an embarrassing retaliation attempt the next day—Operation Swift Retort, which ultimately cost Pakistan an F-16 fighter jet.

The Balakot Airstrikes: A Tactical and Strategic Masterstroke

The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed Operation Bandar with precision and secrecy, ensuring maximum impact with minimal collateral damage. India’s response was not a knee-jerk reaction but a calculated military strike, combining intelligence, precision weaponry, and electronic warfare. A fleet of Mirage-2000 fighter jets, carrying Spice-2000 precision-guided bombs, was chosen for the mission. The Mirage-2000 was the ideal choice due to its proven track record, night-time operational capabilities, and ability to evade radar detection.

Secondly, the IAF deployed Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to jam Pakistani radar systems, allowing the strike squadron to enter Pakistani airspace undetected. To mislead the PAF, Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKIs flew a diversionary sortie near the border, drawing Pakistani attention away while the Mirage-2000s quietly slipped into Balakot’s airspace.

The IAF targeted JeM’s largest terror training facility, where intelligence suggested over 300 terrorists were being trained. The Spice-2000 bombs, capable of penetrating fortified structures, destroyed key installations and barracks. The entire mission lasted just a few minutes. By the time Pakistani defences reacted, the Indian jets had returned to their bases safely.

Pakistan was left humiliated, caught completely off guard, as its much-touted air defence failed to detect or intercept the Indian fighter jets.

Pakistan’s Operation Swift Retort and the Loss of an F-16

Furious and embarrassed, Pakistan launched Operation Swift Retort on February 27, 2019, aiming to save face and retaliate. However, instead of inflicting damage on Indian military targets, Pakistan’s response only deepened its military embarrassment.

The next morning, the PAF sent a fleet of F-16s, JF-17s, and Mirage III/Vs to launch precision-guided bomb attacks on Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response, the IAF deployed its Su-30MKIs, MiG-21 Bison, and Mirage-2000s to intercept Pakistani aircraft. A dogfight ensued over the LoC, leading to one of the most significant aerial battles in modern South Asian history.

Pakistan’s F-16 Shot Down by a MiG-21

In an extraordinary turn of events, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, piloting a MiG-21 Bison, locked onto a Pakistani F-16 and successfully shot it down using an R-73 missile. The fact that a decades-old MiG-21 managed to take down a technologically superior F-16 stunned defence analysts worldwide.

Unfortunately, during the chase, Abhinandan’s MiG-21 was hit by a missile, forcing him to be ejected over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where he was captured by Pakistani forces.

How ISPR's Toolkit Attempted Damage Control

While Pakistan initially denied losing an F-16, India provided wreckage evidence and AMRAAM missile fragments, which are only compatible with F-16s, proving Pakistan’s deception. Even U.S. military reports later confirmed that Pakistan had indeed lost an F-16.

However, under immense international pressure, Pakistan was forced to release Abhinandan within 48 hours, further proving India’s diplomatic and strategic upper hand in the crisis.

Strategic and Military Implications of Op Bandar

India proved that terror attacks would not go unanswered, and Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail would not deter India from crossing the LoC if necessary. The success of Operation Bandar showcased the IAF’s ability to conduct deep-strike operations, even in hostile airspace. Despite having early warning systems, air surveillance, and F-16s equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, Pakistan failed to prevent Indian jets from striking Balakot.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan military's failure to detect and intercept Indian aircraft, the loss of an F-16, and the forced return of Wing Commander Abhinandan were major embarrassments for Pakistan.

Furthermore, Operation Swift Retort achieved nothing apart from worsening Pakistan’s credibility. Pakistan’s use of F-16s violated U.S. end-user agreements, which stipulated that these jets could only be used for counterterrorism, not against India. This led to questions about Pakistan’s adherence to defence agreements.

The Balakot airstrikes marked a paradigm shift in India’s military doctrine. For the first time, India demonstrated its willingness to strike deep into enemy territory in response to terrorism, disregarding Pakistan’s nuclear threats.