New Delhi, February 26: France on Tuesday extended support to India over the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) surgical strikes on terror launchpads of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan. Acting spokesperson of France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said, “France recognises India’s legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism and asks Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory.” How IAF Destroyed JeM Camps in Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad Across LoC in Pakistan: Timeline And Video of Surgical Strike 2.

Statement of acting French spokesperson:

The spokesperson also said that France which stands by India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms, is fully engaged in mobilising the international community to sanction terrorists responsible for the Pulwama attack and freezing their financing networks. Meanwhile, the European country also called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avert any risk of military escalation and preserve strategic stability in the region. The acting spokesperson also stated that the resumption of dialogue between Islamabad-New Delhi necessary to initiate a peaceful settlement of differences. 'Fictitious'; 'Deserves Retaliation': Pakistan's Reaction to 'Surgical Strikes 2' Smacks of Contradiction.

Video of IAF's air strikes:

Earlier in the day, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne asked Pakistan to take urgent action against terrorist groups in its territory including JeM. The Australian Foreign Minister further added, “Pakistan must do everything to implement its own proscription of JeM. It can't allow extremist groups to operate from its territory.”

Meanwhile, in the wee hours of Tuesday, the IAF conducted air strikes on JeM terror camps in Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pakistan. Twelve Mirage-2000 fighter jets of the IAF raided the launched pads. Around 300 JeM terrorists were killed in the strike. However, Pakistan denied India's claims. It also said that the IAF jets just violated the air space of the country.

The IAF carried out the strikes two weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were martyred. JeM claimed responsibility for the attack.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 26, 2019 11:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).