The Narendra Modi government has said that the air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Balakot has sent a tough message to Pakistan. However, the opposition has been demanding proof.

According to Reuters, a review of satellite imagery showed that the terror camp in Balakot is still intact, whereas another media reported that satellite imagery showed damage to the terror camp, but not to the extent the government may be claiming.

The other big question is, is Pakistan finally acting on India’s Pulwama dossier or are they indulging in just a face-saver by initiating action against Abdul Rauf Asghar, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar and banning the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Kapil Kak, retired air vice marshal; RK Sood, former ambassador to France, Afghanistan and Nepal; Anil Trigunayat, former ambassador to Libya, Jordan and Malta and Praveen Swami, Editor, Firstpost, discussed the Balakot airstrike.

Sood said that the representatives of the government have done themselves a disservice by coming out with inconsistent statements.

“The controversy has been created largely because there are various ministers in the government that have been giving out inconsistent statements. I think the foreign secretary’s statement was very clear. He declined to give any specific numbers. However, we have seen BJP president Amit Shah talking of 250 causalities, home minister Rajnath Singh claiming a figure of 300. This is what has led to unnecessary discussion,” Sood said.

Kak said that the nation must have no doubt about the airstrike.

“The government has the evidence already. Why they are not releasing it only the government can answer. It has been a top ranking type of strike made by the 12 Mirage 2000 aircrafts. ,” he said.