Amid questions, Defence Minister breaks silence on Balakot casualties

New Delhi: A day after BJP chief Amit Shah claimed over 250 terrorists were killed in Balakot’s air strike, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the government has already stated its position with a statement by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

Gokhale on February 26 had said it was a "non-military, pre-emptive air strikes".

“There is no relationship between the airstrike and elections. It was based upon intelligence inputs on terrorist activities in Pakistan, to be unleashed against India. It was not a military action,” Sitharaman said.

Defence Minister said Balakot air strike was not a 'military action' as there was no damage to civilians.

"The foreign secretary gave the statement; that is the figure," Sitharaman added.

However, the Foreign Secretary had not given any casualty figure.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Monday said the Air Forces doesn't count the number of casualties and clarified that armed forces is not in a position to clarify how many people were inside.

The opposition has been slamming the government led by PM Modi of politicising the air strike.