In a televised address to the nation on Monday, May 12, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India's "Operation Sindoor" had successfully dismantled terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan, including facilities in Bahawalpur and Muridke, which he described as "universities of global terrorism". The operation, launched on May 7, 2025, was a response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, where 28 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed.
Modi asserted that the strikes targeted not only the physical structures of terrorist organizations but also their "courage" and the state-backed support system that enabled them. He alleged that these "universities of global terrorism" had links to attacks such as 9/11 and major terror attacks in India. "These were not ordinary terror hideouts, these were launchpads for global jihad. The world now knows where the roots lie," he added.
The Prime Minister accused the Pakistani military of openly supporting terrorism, stating, "The world has seen that dirty truth of Pakistan when the high-ranked officers of the Army bid the slain terrorists adieu. There cannot be a bigger proof of state-sponsored terrorism". India has released names of top Pakistani Army officials who attended the funeral of terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor. According to Indian officials, the funeral of terrorists killed in Muridke was led by Abdul Rauf, a LeT commander who is a specially designated global terrorist by the US.
Operation Sindoor involved precision strikes on nine sites, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India has stated that the actions were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted. The strikes aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and disable terrorists likely to be sent across to India.
Satellite images have revealed the extensive damage caused to terror camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, a key center for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) since 2015, suffered significant damage. This facility served as the main center for training and indoctrination and as the operational headquarters of JeM, associated with terrorist planning, including the Pulwama attack in 2019. Similarly, Markaz Taiba in Muridke, a major Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) hub, was also severely damaged. Established in 2000, Markaz Taiba was LeT's most important training center in Pakistan, providing arms and physical training, as well as indoctrination for terrorists from Pakistan and abroad. The perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, including Ajmal Kasab, had received training at this facility.
PM Modi emphasized that "Operation Sindoor is not just a name" but a reflection of the nation's resolve and a quest for justice. He said the enemy has now realized the consequences of removing 'sindoor' from the forehead of our women. He also asserted that India will no longer tolerate any nuclear blackmail. While a ceasefire agreement has been reached, Modi stated that the operations are "only in abeyance" and that India's future action will depend entirely on Pakistan's behavior going forward.
The strikes under Operation Sindoor have led to a significant number of casualties among the terrorist groups. India claims that more than 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.
