Operation Sindoor: India Conducts Precision Strikes against Terrorist Bases in Pakistan and PoK, Eliminating Over 70 Militants
In a significant military operation codenamed “Operation Sindoor,” the Indian armed forces conducted 24 precision missile strikes against nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday morning. The strikes, carried out between 01:05 AM to 01:30 AM, specifically targeted strongholds of terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur. Based on specific intelligence about terrorist infrastructure, the operation successfully destroyed all nine targeted terrorist camps.
According to official reports, the operation resulted in over 70 terrorists killed and more than 60 wounded, dealing a substantial blow to the operational capabilities of these militant groups.
Targeted Locations
The precision strikes were carried out against nine specific terrorist facilities:
- Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur (Jaish-e-Mohammed)
- Markaz Taiba, Muridke (Lashkar-e-Taiba)
- Sarjal, Tehra Kalan (Jaish-e-Mohammed)
- Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot (Hizbul Mujahideen)
- Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala (Lashkar-e-Taiba)
- Markaz Abbas, Kotli (Jaish-e-Mohammed)
- Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli (Hizbul Mujahideen)
- Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad (Lashkar-e-Taiba)
- Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad (Jaish-e-Mohammed)
These locations represent key operational bases for three major terrorist organizations: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The strikes targeted facilities across Pakistani territory as well as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
The military action comes in direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, located in Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which claimed 26 lives – 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack “to the ends of the earth” and inflict punishment “beyond their imagination.”
In an official statement, India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the strikes were directed at terrorist infrastructure from which attacks against India have been “planned and directed.”
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature,” the statement emphasized. “No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
A Coordinated Tri-Services Operation
“Operation Sindoor” was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with all strikes launched from Indian soil. The operation was based on specific intelligence about terrorist infrastructure and resulted in the complete destruction of all nine targeted camps. The defense ministry characterized the operation as “focused, measured and non-escalatory,” deliberately avoiding any Pakistani military installations.
The operation represents one of India’s most significant military actions against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, which were conducted in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
Timing and Strategic Implications
The strikes occurred just hours before a previously planned nationwide security mock drill across 244 districts of India, designed to test “effective civil defence in the event of a hostile attack.”
The Ministry of Defence statement reinforced India’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for terrorist activities, stating: “India is living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
International reaction to the strikes is still developing, with diplomatic and security analysts closely monitoring the situation for potential escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
India has maintained that its actions were specifically targeted at terrorist infrastructure and not meant as an escalation against Pakistan itself, though the coming days will likely prove critical in determining the regional response to this significant military operation.
