In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces executed precision missile strikes against nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under "Operation Sindoor". This operation was a direct response to the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali citizen.
The targeted locations included Bahawalpur, a known stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Muridke, a base for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the operation was conducted between 1:05 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. with precision capabilities, ensuring minimal collateral damage. Wing Commander Singh emphasized that no Pakistani military installations were targeted and that India's response was restrained, while also affirming the armed forces' readiness to counter any potential escalation from Pakistan.
The selection of targets was based on thorough intelligence reports, focusing on facilities involved in perpetrating terror activities, including centers for recruitment, indoctrination, and launch pads. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that the locations were chosen to avoid civilian infrastructure and loss of life. Loitering munitions, also known as "suicide drones," were specifically deployed for precise strikes.
Satellite imagery has since confirmed the extensive damage inflicted on the terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Bahawalpur, situated approximately 100 km from the international border, houses JeM's operational nerve center at the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah. This site, spread across approximately 18 acres, serves as a hub for recruitment, fundraising, and indoctrination and has direct links to the Pulwama attack of February 14, 2019. Key JeM leaders, including Maulana Masood Azhar, Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, and Maulana Ammar, are known to reside at the mosque, which is funded by the Al-Rahmat Trust, a JeM front organization.
Reports indicate that all nine targeted camps were successfully neutralized, with four locations in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot) and five in PoK. Sources suggest that over 70 terrorists were killed and more than 60 wounded in the strikes, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).
Following "Operation Sindoor," Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting civilian areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, and Poonch. This cross-border shelling resulted in damage to houses and shops and, according to reports, caused at least 10 civilian deaths and over 30 injuries. The Indian Army responded proportionately to the ceasefire violations.
The operation has drawn strong reactions, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann praising the Indian Army and asserting the unity of the country in the fight against militancy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly monitored the operation throughout the night and acknowledged it as a proud moment for the nation during a high-level cabinet meeting.
