In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor" on Wednesday, targeting and destroying terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the key targets was Markaz Taiba, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training center located in Muridke, near Lahore. This facility is infamous for having trained Ajmal Kasab, one of the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The strikes, which were described as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," were a response to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and disable terrorists likely to be sent across to India.
Markaz Taiba, also known as Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, has been widely regarded as the ideological and operational center of the LeT. Established in 2000, the sprawling 82-acre complex has been on Indian intelligence's radar for its role in planning and facilitating attacks on Indian soil. The facility, sometimes called Pakistan's "terror nursery," received a substantial donation of 10 million Pakistani rupees from Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for the construction of a mosque and guesthouse.
The Markaz Taiba complex housed a preaching center, educational institutions, a madrassa, residential quarters, and facilities for religious indoctrination, arms training, and recruitment. Intelligence reports suggest that the center played a significant role in radicalizing youth, with approximately 1,000 students enrolled in various programs annually. The complex also included the Sufa Academy for male recruits and a separate indoctrination center for women and served as a training venue for LeT's senior leadership.
All ten terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including Ajmal Kasab, received intelligence training, called "Daura-e-Ribbat," at Markaz Taiba. Furthermore, David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who were also involved in the Mumbai attacks, visited the facility along with a retired Pakistan Army officer and other co-conspirators.
Indian intelligence agencies have assessed that Markaz Taiba is LeT's most important training center, serving as a breeding ground for radicalizing students and motivating them to join armed jihad. Senior Pakistani Army officers regularly visited the camps.
Besides Markaz Taiba, Operation Sindoor targeted other key terrorist facilities, including Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and camps linked to Hizbul Mujahideen. These camps were used for training, indoctrination, and planning attacks against India.
The destruction of Markaz Taiba in Operation Sindoor is a significant blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba and its infrastructure. By targeting this key training center, India aims to disrupt the flow of trained terrorists and degrade LeT's ability to carry out attacks. The operation sends a strong message about India's resolve to dismantle the infrastructure that supports terrorism directed against it.
Following the strikes, the Indian Army released videos showing the destruction of the targeted camps. Foreign Secretary Misri described the operation as a demonstration of India's right to self-defense and its commitment to counter-terrorism. While India has stated that the strikes were "non-escalatory," Pakistan has condemned the operation and claimed civilian casualties.
