In retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, Indian Armed Forces executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ early Wednesday based on credible intelligence. The operation resulted in the complete destruction of nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). These camps, identified through a dossier from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), were used for training terrorists to execute attacks in India. Details about Operation Sindoor were shared by the Indian Army and Air Force at the National Media Center.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri opened the press conference by discussing the April 22 attack, where terrorists from Lashkar and Pakistan killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepalese citizen in Pahalgam, shooting victims in front of their families. The terrorist group called the Resistance Front, which has ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the assault, confirming Pakistan’s involvement and highlighting existing links to Pakistani terrorists. Misri stated that the brutal tactics used against tourists were intended to undermine the flourishing tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
He highlighted that the Resistance Front acts as a proxy for the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Investigation into the Pahalgam attack revealed communication between terrorists and contacts in Pakistan.
During the press briefing, two female officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi from the Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Air Force, provided comprehensive insights into India’s counteraction following the tragedy. Wing Commander Singh noted that Operation Sindoor lasted from 1:05 am to 1:30 am on Tuesday night, effectively targeting and eliminating nine terrorist camps. Care was taken to avoid collateral damage to civilian infrastructure and ensure the safety of civilians during the operation.
Colonel Sofia Qureshi showcased videos depicting attacks on terrorist camps in Mundrake, Pakistan, and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), including the significant Mehmoona Zoya camp in Sialkot, situated 12-18 kilometers within Pakistan. This camp, one of the largest operated by Hizbul Mujahideen, functions as a command center for orchestrating terrorist activities in the Kathua and Jammu regions and was responsible for planning the assault on the Pathankot Air Force Base.
In her address, Colonel Qureshi emphasized that no military installations were targeted during these operations and confirmed that there have been no reported civilian casualties in Pakistan. She also highlighted the destruction of the Sarjal camp in Sialkot, located 6 kilometers into Pakistan, which was known to train terrorists responsible for the killing of four Jammu and Kashmir police officers.
Furthermore, Colonel Qureshi revealed that under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces struck key locations such as Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala and Markaz Abbas in Kotli, located 9 kilometers and 13 kilometers from the Line of Control, respectively. She noted that the operations also targeted the Muridke camp, historically linked to the training of Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, both involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Colonel Qureshi’s presentation served to underscore the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating from within Pakistani territory while maintaining a stance of restraint by avoiding military targets and protecting civilian lives.