Tensions between Pakistan and India that have been at record high following the Pulwama attack, went up another notch after the surgical strike by Indian Air Force (IAF) in Balakot. Amid all the strain and talk of confrontations going on between the neighboring countries, there has been a different kind of war being waged on social media. People from India and Pakistan are tweeting every second. Indians are flaunting their “air forces revenge of Pulwama they took from Pakistan”, whereas Pakistanis condemned the strike as a violation of their air space.
The list of top five trending hashtags in Pakistan include #Balakot, #PakistanArmy, #SurgicalStrike. Pakistanis are also clarifying the facts of the incursion and warning Indians from spreading false news on social media.
A Pakistani citizen conveyed the message that Pakistan is ready for war and won’t stay silent on the violation of their airspace.
India a fake news-war monger should be ready for an answer. India will regret spreading false news about attack because now Pakistan will attack and when Pakistan attacks it will be beyond any doubt and ambiguity- #PakArmy #PakAirForceOurPride #Balakot #BalakotAttack
— Khurram Pervez Raja (@KhurramPervezR1) February 26, 2019
Pakistani politicians tweeted regarding the incident as well. Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Asad Umar tweeted saying that India should be prepared for the response from Pakistan anytime. He added that India can’t win a conflict like this.
India WILL get a response. The time and manner of response will be chosen by Pakistan. Indian citizens must understand that their prime minister is putting Indian citizens in the harms way for political gain by initiating a conflict INDIA CANNOT WIN
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) February 26, 2019
Sherry Rehman shared her views saying that such moves will only worsen the relations and stability of both countries.
Indian incursion across the LOC is strategically ill-advised & tactically pointless #PakistanArmy #PakAirForce clearly on alert. Such moves only ratchet up tensions in a region bristling with anger.Obvious that #Modi’s election war drums make prospects for talks collateral damage
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 26, 2019
On the other hand, a few Pakistanis have a contrasting perspective of the incident of Balakot and are criticising the army for not working diligently which led Indians to violate their airspace.
Rape is a rape, whether it is of 30 seconds or of an hour. Same is the case with sovereignty, Its not about how much time they remained in your territory, it is about the fact they intruded your sovereignty. #Balakot #BalakotAttack
— Faysal Mustafa (@soomrofaysal) February 26, 2019
Meanwhile, Indian Media has been focused on celebrating “their victory”, which we all know was not the case as IAF was silenced by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). ANI, an Indian news agency also claimed to have given Pakistan a “solid reply for the Pulwama Attacks”.
#WATCH Chhattisgarh: ASI GD Ratnakar,211-BN CRPF on IAF strike at JeM camp in Balakot: Jawans are celebrating,they (Pak) have been given a befitting reply,but souls of 40 jawans isn’t at peace yet,their souls will rest in peace only after mastermind of #PulwamaAttack is killed… pic.twitter.com/PkrEZm8ByO
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019
Military personnel from India also tweeted, commending their soldiers.
Great job by the #IndianAirForce. The #IAFStrikes have sent the much needed signal to Pakistan and the terrorists it’s harbouring – don’t think you can get away with acts like the #PulwamaAttack. Bravo to the #IAF men and my full support for the action.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 26, 2019
Bollywood actors were also seen celebrating the surgical strike.
Mess with the best, die like the rest. Salute #IndianAirForce.@narendramodi.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) February 26, 2019
Proud of our #IndianAirForce fighters for destroying terror camps. अंदर घुस के मारो ! Quiet no more! #IndiaStrikesBack
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 26, 2019
A TRULY BEAUTIFUL GOOD MORNING. THANKS @narendramodi SIR AND BRAVEHEARTS OF OUR ARMY . JAI HO . 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) February 26, 2019
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) February 26, 2019
Amid all the praise for the IAF, Shefali Vidya a freelance writer and newspaper columnist commended the Indian government for sanctioning the strike.
“Bravery of #IAF! Yes, indeed, congrats to our pilots, but the credit for this audacious attack goes to the leadership”. Whereas, in reply Vishwasundar Sharma an Indian citizen was quick to direct the whole incident a gamble for the 2019 elections in India.
Finally, there was one Indian guy who showed some sense and tweeted logically. He talked about the vested interests of the politician in such wars.
“War is never the answer to anything, it is never the approach any country should take or use to end a conflict or any sort of agenda. EU, Germany, and China all have asked Pakistan and India to resolve the conflict and maintain peace. Seems like both the countries need to maintain peace on borders and on social media.” Sharma maintained.