The Indian Air Force had codenamed the February 26 air strikes in Balakot as “Operation Bandar”, sources in the defence ministry said on Friday.

Asked about the specific reason behind giving such a name, an official declined to comment. Another official said the codename could have mythical significance as monkeys have a special place in the Ramayan, where Hanuman wrecked havoc in Lanka.

India had launched the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation to the February 14 Pulwama massacre in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. India had termed the air strikes an “intelligence-led, non-military, pre-emptive” operation that targeted a terror camp run by the Jaish-e-Mohammed.