In the early hours of Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precise, coordinated strikes that successfully destroyed nine terrorist bases located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The joint operation, conducted by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force from Indian territory, marked a significant counter-terror move in response to recent attacks on Indian soil.
The Ministry of Defence described the mission as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. A statement released at 1:44 am underscored the operation’s restraint and precision, aiming solely at terrorist infrastructure.
According to reports from news agency PTI, the operation targeted high-value assets, including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke—both infamous for orchestrating major terror attacks in India. The strikes were launched in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians.
Key Details of the Operation:
- Intelligence-driven targeting: Indian intelligence agencies provided precise coordinates of terrorist installations.
- Strategic objective: The operation aimed to eliminate top leadership and infrastructure of JeM and LeT responsible for cross-border terrorism.
- Tri-services execution: The Army, Navy, and Air Force carried out the strikes jointly, coordinating the mobilization of personnel and assets.
- Precision weaponry: Specialised munitions were used to ensure minimal collateral damage.
- Target locations: Of the nine sites hit, four were in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot) and five in PoK.
Focus on Terror Group Strongholds:
JeM’s base in Bahawalpur, long led by UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar, was among the key targets. The group has been linked to major terror incidents, including the Pulwama bombing and the 2001 Parliament attack.
Similarly, LeT’s headquarters in Muridke, led by Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was struck. Both groups have been repeatedly accused of operating with impunity from within Pakistan.
International Briefings:
Following the strikes, India proactively reached out to key global allies to share details of the operation. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed U.S. NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the evidence behind the strikes and the urgency of the response.
In a statement, the Indian embassy in Washington said: “India has credible leads, technical inputs, survivor testimonies, and other evidence confirming the involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in the April 22 attack.”
It added that while India expected Pakistan to act against terror infrastructure, Islamabad instead responded with denial and false flag allegations.
