According to sources, at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp, the biggest operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF personnel.
Everyone at the camp was sleeping at the time of the attack, the Indian sources said
According to intelligence, JeM had shifted many in-training terrorists and hardcore operatives, along with their trainers, to the Balakot camp, which has facilities for 500 to 700 people, and even has a swimming pool along with cooks and cleaners.
Fighter and other aircraft took off from several air bases in Western and Central commands at about the same time, the sources said. A small group of aircraft broke away from the swarm and headed to Balakot where "the sleeping terrorists were sitting ducks for the Indian bombing", said one source.