In a bold and coordinated military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, India has carried out precision strikes on nine terrorist camps located across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), under the operation code-named Operation Sindoor. The Indian government confirmed the strikes, stating they were aimed at dismantling cross-border terror infrastructure that threatens India’s national security.
Among the nine sites reportedly targeted, four are key terror strongholds: Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in PoK. These areas have long been identified by Indian intelligence as hubs for terror groups operating with the support of Pakistan’s military establishment.
Bahawalpur, near the Rajasthan border, is a known base for the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror group responsible for multiple attacks on Indian soil, including the 2019 Pulwama attack. Muridke, located near Lahore, houses the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the group behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, and Kotli, situated near the Line of Control (LoC) across from Jammu, are frequently used as launching pads for terrorist infiltration into India. These regions are believed to host multiple terror outfits, including elements of LeT and JeM, whose activities are allegedly facilitated by the Pakistani Army.
The Indian Army described the operation as a “measured and focused strike” aimed at neutralizing terror threats without targeting civilians. The strikes were carried out using high-precision weaponry, and preliminary reports indicate significant damage to the targeted facilities.
Pakistan’s government has condemned the strikes, calling them an “act of aggression” and has vowed to respond at a time of its choosing. However, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that while Pakistan would not escalate the situation first, it “reserves the right to respond appropriately.”
The strikes have drawn international attention, with global powers urging both countries to exercise restraint. Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the development, urging India and Pakistan to avoid further conflict, emphasizing, “The world needs peace, not war.”
India has reiterated that Operation Sindoor was a necessary response to continued cross-border terrorism and warned that it will not hesitate to take similar actions in the future if terror threats persist.
As the situation remains tense, diplomatic channels are reportedly open, with both sides under pressure from the international community to avoid further escalation
