In a decisive response to the recent barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, the Indian Armed Forces launched a targeted operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ striking nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday morning. The strikes, executed with precision missiles, aimed to dismantle terror launchpads and training camps from where attacks against India have been planned and orchestrated.
The Ministry of Defence, in an official statement released shortly after the operation, emphasized that the action was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature.” It was explicitly stated that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted, demonstrating India’s commitment to a calibrated response aimed at neutralizing terrorist threats while avoiding wider conflict.
Sources indicate that the operation, which commenced at approximately 1:44 AM, involved coordinated strikes by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, utilizing advanced precision weaponry and intelligence-based targeting. The nine targeted locations are reported to be key strongholds and training centers of prominent terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). These include:
Markaz Taiba, Muridke: A major LeT training center, reportedly where operatives involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, including Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, received training.
Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur: The headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, serving as a central hub for recruitment, training, and indoctrination.
Sawai Nala Camp, Muzaffarabad: Located 30 km inside PoK, this LeT training camp was instrumental in preparing militants for cross-border infiltration.
Syedna Bilal Camp, PoK: A key staging area for JeM, also functioning as an arms and ammunition depot and training facility.
Gulpur Camp, Kotli: Situated 30 km from the Line of Control (LoC), this LeT base was allegedly used to train terrorists involved in attacks in the Poonch area in 2023 and on pilgrims in June 2024.
Barnala Camp, Bhimber: Located just 9 km from the LoC, this camp served as a crucial center for handling arms and ammunition for terrorist activities.
Kotli Abbas: Approximately 13 km from the LoC, this facility had the capacity to train around 15 terrorists at a time.
Sarjal Camp, Sialkot: Situated a mere 6 km from the international border, intelligence suggests that terrorists involved in the killing of four Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir in March 2025 were trained here.
Mehmoona Joya Camp, Sialkot: A stronghold of Hizbul Mujahideen, another prominent terror outfit, this camp was reportedly involved in planning and directing the attack on the Pathankot Airbase in 2016.
While the Indian government has refrained from providing specific casualty figures, sources suggest that over 70 terrorists were killed and more than 60 were wounded in the precision strikes, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of these terror groups.
Pakistan has reacted sharply to the Indian operation, confirming the strikes and reporting casualties, including civilian deaths. They have accused India of an “unprovoked act of aggression” and vowed to respond. Reports indicate that Pakistan has placed its air force on high alert and that heavy shelling has resumed along the Line of Control.
The international community has reacted with concern, urging both nations to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum military restraint, emphasizing that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, signaling a more assertive approach in dealing with terror infrastructure operating from Pakistani soil. The carefully calibrated strikes, focusing solely on terrorist targets and avoiding military installations, underscore India’s intent to deliver a strong message against cross-border terrorism while attempting to prevent a wider conflict. The coming days will be crucial in observing how the situation unfolds and whether diplomatic channels can be effectively utilized to de-escalate the heightened tensions between the two nations.
