26/11: IAF Wanted To Strike Pakistan But Govt Did Not Approve

It has been 10 years since 26/11 Mumbai Attacks which had claimed lives of 157 People including 2 NSG Commandos. The Terrorists which came from Pakistan Wreaked havoc in Mumbai for 3 Days. The Attacks showed the unpreparedness of our Forces to deal with such Incidents. Even NSG arrived 10 Hrs after the initial assault began due to Bureaucratic delay. This attack was also a  Power Projection move by Pakistan. They showed that they are capable of Striking a Mega City deep inside the Country without being challenged once.
For most countries, this incident would have sparked an outrage and most likely have resulted in a War but India took a step back and decided to seek justice diplomatically which we all are aware NEVER Works.
The Masterminds are still Roaming freely in Pakistan.
But what most Indian’s don’t know is that the  Indian Air Force was prepared to Attack Pakistani Bases and had already given orders to its men in Forward Air Bases to prepare for Combat. Aircraft were refueled and Weapons prepared. The Indian Air Force was on standby from 27 November, all set to launch Air Strikes on Pakistan. All that was needed was permission from the Government which never came.
26/11
NSG Fast Roping a Nariman House

According to Man In Charge:

Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, then the chief of the air staff, was in the thick of action because of the several warnings from the Intelligence Bureau that Pakistan-based terrorists may try and launch an aerial attack on India.

According to him, IAF was ready for battle, the government did not make up its mind on whether to go to war with Pakistan. The Indian Air had planned to launch Airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to seek revenge for 26/11.

26/11
Buy Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11 @ Amazon

Meeting With Prime Minister:

Two days after the Attacks began, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major met the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his home. He had arrived with Defense Minister AK Antony and Defense Secretary to meet him. He said that before this meeting, he had done all the planning to take revenge. During the meeting, when he told that he wanted to conduct strikes on the terror training camp in PoK, Manmohan Singh refused to give permission to anything like that.

Not only IAF but the Navy was prepared too. The Navy had started refueling its ships and resupplying them. The Air Force was trying to teach Pakistan a lesson. The very next day of 26/11 , All the Chiefs had already discussed with each other as to how their Forces will strike Pakistan. They had an informal Plan before meeting the PM and Other senior ministers. All Chiefs submitted their plans but none were not approved by the Govt. 

26/11
National Security Guards (NSG) commandos fire on terrorists holed up in Nariman House from an adjoining building

Air Force All Set To Strike:

Indian Air Force was fully prepared to take revenge for the attack on very next day (27 Nov), but the then UPA government did not approve the Strike. The Chief informed the Govt that The Air Force had the power to attack the militant training camp in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and they should at least attack One Terrorist Camp to send a strong message, but at that time the UPA Government did not allow the Air Force to do it. Major said that after the 26/11 attack, India had 24 hours to attack. Pakistan was not as geared up in first 24 hrs and hence, we could have inflicted massive casualties.

IAF had its Units ready and were well prepared. However, ultimately it depends on what the government wants. The government never made up its mind to go to war.”


Do You Know the MARCOS of Indian Navy Were Among the First to Engage with Terrorists during 26/11 Attacks. Read All About The First Responders of 26/11 – MARCOS

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