Key Points:
- India launched missile and drone strikes on 9 terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in a coordinated tri-services operation.
- Targets included key bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
- No Pakistani military facilities were hit; only terror infrastructure was targeted.
- Weapons used included SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER bombs, and kamikaze drones.
- Indian officials called the strikes “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” sending a clear message against cross-border terrorism.
New Delhi: In the early hours of Wednesday, India executed its most extensive cross-border military action since Balakot, striking nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the codename ‘Operation Sindoor’. This operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a serving Navy officer.
Targets and Execution
The Indian Armed Forces-Army, Navy, and Air Force-carried out coordinated missile and drone strikes on key terror infrastructure belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. Notable targets included:
- JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur (site linked to the 2019 Pulwama attack)
- LeT facility in Muridke (associated with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks)
- Camps in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Barnala, Sarjal, and Sialkot
The strikes were based on intelligence gathered by India’s external agency, RAW, ensuring all targets were high-value terror locations.
Weapons and Approach
India deployed advanced weaponry, including SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles, HAMMER precision bombs, and kamikaze drones for pinpoint accuracy. The Defence Ministry emphasized that no Pakistani military installations were attacked, underscoring a focused and restrained approach.
Aftermath and Reactions
Videos from the region showed ambulances transporting the injured, though casualty numbers remain unconfirmed. Indian officials declared “Justice is served,” while Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed to respond at a time of its choosing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the operation, reaffirming India’s resolve to hold perpetrators of terror attacks accountable.
India’s Message
The operation delivered a clear warning: attacks on Indian civilians will be met with precise and powerful retaliation against terror infrastructure, not the Pakistani military. The government reiterated its commitment to dismantling terror networks operating from across the border.
