Saturday 24 / May / 2025
New Delhi: In a decisive counter-terror operation, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting key terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The strikes focused on nine locations associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen, aiming to dismantle their operational strongholds.
Codenamed Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force launched precision night raids targeting key terrorist strongholds. Among the sites struck were Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, all linked to JeM. Markaz Taiba in Muridke, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad were identified as LeT facilities, while Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot served as camps and training centers for Hizbul Mujahideen. These locations have long been identified as launch pads for terrorist attacks on India.
Of the nine locations, four were situated within Pakistan, while five were in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian Ministry of Defence, in a statement issued on May 7, 2025 at 1:44 AM, emphasized that the operation was "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," ensuring that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. The strikes were carried out in response to terrorist attacks planned and directed against India, reinforcing the nation's commitment to safeguarding its security interests.
Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK) has long been identified as a breeding ground for terrorism, serving as a hub for extremist groups that operate against India. The region has been used as a launchpad for cross-border infiltration, with terror outfits like JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen maintaining training camps and operational bases there.
PoK’s rugged terrain and proximity to the Indian border make it an ideal location for militant activities. Terrorist organizations exploit the region’s geography and lack of stringent oversight to train recruits, stockpile weapons, and plan attacks on Indian soil. The region hosts indoctrination centers, weapons depots, and logistical hubs that facilitate terror operations. Kotli and Muzaffarabad, in particular, have been flagged as major training grounds for suicide bombers and insurgents. These camps provide militants with arms, explosives, and tactical training, enabling them to carry out attacks in India.
Hafiz Saeed, the founder of LeT, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He has been sanctioned under UN Security Council Resolution 1267, and the U.S. has placed a bounty of $10 million on him for his role in terror activities. Masood Azhar, the leader of JeM, was officially designated as a global terrorist by the UN in 2019 after his involvement in multiple terror attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. The United Nations, along with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, has repeatedly called for strict action against Saeed and Azhar. Despite being designated global terrorists and carrying bounties on their heads, Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar continue to operate with impunity in Pakistan.
Both LeT and JeM have received ideological, financial, and logistical support from Al-Qaeda and other extremist networks. JeM, founded by Masood Azhar, has historical ties to Osama bin Laden and the Taliban, with its operations often aligning with Al-Qaeda’s broader jihadist agenda. LeT, under Hafiz Saeed, has similarly benefited from Al-Qaeda’s influence, particularly in its recruitment and training strategies.
In addition to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 civilians, LeT and JeM have orchestrated numerous deadly assaults on India in the past. LeT was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, a meticulously planned assault that killed 166 people and targeted iconic locations like the Taj Hotel and Nariman House. JeM masterminded the 2019 Pulwama bombing, where a suicide bomber struck a CRPF convoy, leading to the loss of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel and sparking intense tensions between India and Pakistan. JeM also carried out the 2016 Uri attack, in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed in a strike on an Army base, prompting India's surgical strikes in retaliation. That same year, JeM militants infiltrated the Pathankot Air Force base, triggering a fierce gun battle. More recently, the Pahalgam attack in 2025 highlighted the continued threat posed by these groups, reinforcing India's commitment to counterterrorism operations such as Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to dismantle their capabilities and prevent future attacks.
In a meticulously coordinated operation, the Indian Air Force deployed Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions, striking high-value terrorist infrastructure while remaining within Indian airspace. The Indian Navy provided crucial support from the sea, making this a rare and highly synchronized joint sea-air operation.
Central to the strike package was the SCALP (Storm Shadow) missile, a long-range, air-launched cruise missile engineered for deep penetration strikes. With an impressive range exceeding 250 km, SCALP empowered the Indian Air Force (IAF) to neutralize hardened targets—including bunkers, command centers, and fortified camps—without breaching Indian airspace. Its stealth capabilities and precision-guidance system reportedly facilitated the destruction of key terror infrastructure, including JeM’s operational hub in Bahawalpur and LeT command center in Muridke.
Complementing SCALP was the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bomb, another high-precision, French-origin munition designed for surgical strikes. Deployed from Rafale fighter jets, HAMMER offers versatile guidance options, including GPS, infrared, and laser targeting, ensuring exceptional accuracy. Its adaptability makes it ideal for medium-range tactical engagements, particularly in scenarios where targets were mobile or situated in proximity to civilian infrastructure—allowing for minimal collateral damage while delivering maximum strategic impact.
The Army, Air Force, and Navy worked in unison to execute precision strikes, ensuring that no Indian aircraft were lost during the mission.
Intelligence reports indicate that LeT’s base in Muridke, near Lahore—closely linked to Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks—was struck with significant impact. Meanwhile, in Bahawalpur, multiple strikes targeted JeM’s central facilities, including a site where Rauf Asghar had recently convened a meeting with Hamas commander Khalid Qayoumi, just days before the Pahalgam attack.
Geographically, Bahawalpur, JeM’s main operational hub, lies 250-300 km from the India-Pakistan border in southern Punjab, making it one of the more distant targets in the operation. Muridke, the nerve center of LeT, is situated 40-50 km from the border in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Sialkot, also in Punjab, is positioned 10-20 km from the border, while Chak Amru, one of the closest targets, is estimated to be within 5-10 km of the international boundary.
The presence of terror camps in PoK has drawn international attention, with several nations urging Pakistan to take action against these groups. Despite global pressure, Pakistan has been accused of providing tacit support to these organizations, allowing them to operate with relative impunity. India continues to push for diplomatic resolutions and counter-terror strategies to address the security challenges posed by PoK-based militants. India's strategic responses and international advocacy aim to mitigate this danger while ensuring national security.
Conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces, was a precision military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, ensuring that no civilian casualties occurred during the strike.
During a press briefing following Operation Sindoor, Col. Sofia Qureshi, a distinguished officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals reaffirmed that no military installations were targeted, and there were no reports of civilian casualties in Pakistan
The Indian government reiterated that the action was proportional and responsible, aimed solely at dismantling terror networks without provoking unnecessary escalation. Operation Sindoor underscores India's commitment to precision warfare, ensuring that strategic objectives were met without escalating tensions beyond necessary measures.
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