Operation Sindoor: India Conducts Precision Strikes on Nine Terror Targets in Pakistan and PoK

In a major counter-terrorism operation, the Indian armed forces launched coordinated missile strikes early Wednesday on nine identified terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Muridke and Bahawalpur—strongholds of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), respectively. The strikes, executed at 1:44 AM, were a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead, including one Nepali national.

Strategic Targets Neutralized

The intelligence-led operation targeted key training and operational facilities:

Bahawalpur (JeM): Markaz Subhan Allah, Sarjal, Tehra Kalan

Muridke (LeT): Markaz Taiba

Sialkot (HM): Mehmoona Joya

Barnala (LeT): Markaz Ahle Hadith

Kotli (JeM & HM): Markaz Abbas and Maskar Raheel Shahid

Muzaffarabad (LeT & JeM): Shawai Nalla Camp, Syedna Bilal Camp

The operation was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy under the directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who vowed to pursue the perpetrators to the "ends of the earth."

Political and Public Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swift and decisive response has received widespread support from political leaders and the public. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi praised the action, stating that Pakistan’s terror infrastructure must be dismantled completely. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav lauded the armed forces, saying they have always defended the dignity of Indian citizens.

Victims' families expressed emotional relief and a sense of justice. Asvari Jagdale, daughter of Santosh Jagdale—one of the Pahalgam victims—shared, “We cried with joy... those sisters whose sindoor was erased by terrorists have been avenged.” Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of Shubham Dwivedi, another victim, said, “Wherever my husband is, he will be at peace today.”

Pakistan Reacts

In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed a strong reply. However, the Indian Embassy in the US clarified that the operation was based on credible intelligence, and only known terror camps were targeted. “No civilian or economic infrastructure was hit,” the Embassy stated, calling the action “measured and non-escalatory.”

Fallout and Security Measures

Military Communication: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with all three service chiefs following the strikes.

Civil Precautions: Educational institutions in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Gurez remain closed.

Flight Disruptions: IndiGo and other airlines announced cancellations of services to and from several northern cities due to heightened security.

Misinformation Surge: A wave of false claims circulated across Pakistani media, alleging Indian casualties and damage—many of which were debunked by fact-checkers as recycled or digitally altered content.

Context: Why These Sites?

Sources revealed that two of the targets hit during Operation Sindoor—Bahawalpur and Kotli—had also been on the radar during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes but were not targeted then to avoid escalation. This time, however, Indian forces decisively neutralized these critical nodes after a Lashkar-linked group claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre.