New Delhi, May 7, 2025: In a decisive military operation, Indian armed forces carried out a series of precision air strikes targeting terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), neutralizing more than 80 terrorists. The operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was launched early on Wednesday in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
According to top security sources, nine key facilities linked to banned terrorist organizations—Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen—were targeted in the strikes. Two of the largest operations occurred in the JeM strongholds of Bahawalpur and Muridke, where an estimated 25 to 30 terrorists were killed at each site. In Muridke, the Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, a notorious LeT facility known as the "terror nursery" of Pakistan, was heavily struck.
Other targets included launch pads, training camps, and radicalization centres operated by JeM and LeT, both of which are sanctioned terrorist organizations under United Nations resolutions. The Indian Army later released a video on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "Justice is served."
While the Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure, Pakistan claimed that eight civilians, including a child, had been killed in the cross-border strikes, calling the action a "blatant act of war."
Targeted locations & aftermath
The operation focused on several high-value locations, including:
Sarjal at Tehra Kalan
Markaz Abbas in Kotli
Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad
Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala
Shwawai Nalla Camp in Muzaffarabad
Makaz Raheel Shahid and Mehmoona Joya training centres in Sialkot and Kotli
These sites were used by JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen for training, indoctrination, and logistical support to carry out cross-border terrorist activities.
While four of the nine targeted sites were inside Pakistan, the remaining five were located in POK. Officials clarified that no Pakistani military installations were directly targeted, although there were reports suggesting involvement from Pakistan's military establishment, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Special Services Group (SSG), in facilitating terrorist operations.
Following the air strikes, Pakistan's military retaliated with heavy cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Indian officials, the exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of three civilians. Security forces on both sides have been engaged in ongoing exchanges of fire as of the latest reports, raising concerns about further escalation of hostilities in the region.
The air strikes underscore India’s commitment to taking proactive measures against cross-border terrorism while avoiding direct confrontations with the Pakistani military. The precision strikes are expected to disrupt terrorist operations in the region, although the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with both India and Pakistan on high alert.
As tensions continue to rise, the military actions have ignited debates over the broader regional implications, with many experts questioning the effectiveness of such strikes in curbing terrorism long-term. The outcome of this operation will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of India's defense strategy in the region.
