India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ at midnight on Tuesday in response to the demands of the widowed women from the 26 tourists killed in the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. This operation involved strategic strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), specifically targeting bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen using advanced weapons including Hammer and Scalp missiles.
The Defence Ministry announced the military actions, stating that they were carried out in a “focused, measured and non-escalatory” manner. Following these strikes, there was heavy shelling from Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, to which the Indian Army responded effectively.
The joint operation involved both the Indian Army and Air Force and utilized precision strike weapons without crossing the border, specifically employing Rafale and Sukhoi fighter jets to attack terrorist camps in various locations, including Muzaffarabad and Sialkot.
Operation Sindoor was designed to disable the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and POK, where operations against India were being planned. The targets selected aimed to eliminate the leadership of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar, which are known for their involvement in sponsoring terrorism in India. The strikes were coordinated across all three branches of the Indian military – Army, Navy, and Air Force – and made use of loitering munitions, all conducted from Indian territory.
This operation marks a significant response to the terrorist threat in the region, showcasing India’s commitment to national security and the safety of its citizens, particularly in light of recent attacks that have affected innocent lives.
India has undertaken focused military actions against specific terrorist camps linked to Pakistan, ensuring that no Pakistani civilians or legitimate military and economic sites were harmed. Key targets included the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur, significantly located just 100 km from the international border, and the Lashkar-e-Taiba base at Muridke, the planning site for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A terrorist camp in Gulpur, responsible for previous attacks in Poonch-Rajouri and a bus attack in June 2024, was also targeted.
The Sawai camp in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was identified as a central hub for attacks in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. Other significant sites destroyed included the Bilal camp, used as a launching pad for Jaish, and Kotli camp, which housed about 50 terrorists and served as a base for Lashkar operatives. The Barnala camp, located merely 10 km from Rajouri, was also eliminated, along with the Jaish base at Sarjal camp in Samba-Kathua, situated near the international border.
Additionally, the Nawaan camp was targeted; it is associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and is located 15 km from the border near Sialkot.
Post-attacks, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval communicated with U.S. officials, including the NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to outline the operations undertaken by India. The actions were substantiated by credible intelligence, including technical leads, witness testimonies, and clear evidence linking Pakistan-based terrorists to the attacks. Overall, India’s approach was characterized by precision and a commitment to targeting terrorist infrastructure while minimizing collateral damage.
