Not one of 11 glide bombs dropped by Pakistan Air Force in post-Balakot attack hit Indian targets

Not one of the 11 glide bombs dropped by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets during their attack on Indian targets across the Line of Control (LoC) on February 27 hit the target, highly-placed military sources disclosed to SP's.

As the dust settles on the air strike by India on a terrorist camp at Balakot on February 26 and a retaliatory air attack by the Pakistan across the Line of Control on Indian military targets the next day, some telling details are filtering out into the public domain five months after the aerial confrontation put the South Asian neighbours on an edge. These details are not flattering for the PAF.

PAF fighters are armed with H4 and REK guided glide bombs. The H4 Stand-off Weapon (SOW) is of South African origin, where it is known as the Denel Raptor II. The REK or Range Extension Kit is Chinese equipment for converting Mk-80 dumb bombs into smart bombs

"While none of the 11 glide bombs meant for precision attacks landed anywhere close to the target, three of these did not even explode," a top commander told SP's.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will destroy these three unexploded bombs this month, he indicated. These are lying partially buried in craters created by impact close to the Line of Control in the Naushera sector.

PAF fighters are armed with H4 and REK guided glide bombs. The H4 Stand-off Weapon (SOW) is of South African origin, where it is known as the Denel Raptor II. The REK or Range Extension Kit is Chinese equipment for converting Mk-80 dumb bombs into smart bombs.

But despite the bombing fiasco, this air raid enabled Pakistan to claim retribution for India's cross-border attack on the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp at Balakot because of the shooting down of an IAF MiG-21 Bison with an AMRAAM missile fired from an F-16 fighter

These weapons were fired by "a large strike packet" comprising PAF F-16, JF-17 and Mirage V attack fighters. One of the intended targets was an Indian Army Brigade Headquarters at Bhimber Gali and an ammunition dump at Narjan close to the LoC.

But despite the bombing fiasco, this air raid enabled Pakistan to claim retribution for India's cross-border attack on the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp at Balakot because of the shooting down of an IAF MiG-21 Bison with an AMRAAM missile fired from an F-16 fighter during the dogfight with IAF interceptors. Pakistan continues to deny that one of its F-16s was also shot down in the skirmish.