Operation Sindoor: India Destroys Nine Terror Camps in Pakistan and POK in Overnight Precision Air Strikes
In a significant and decisive counterterrorism operation, India launched overnight aerial strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), targeting infrastructure used by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation, carried out with high-precision weaponry and strategic planning, dealt a major blow to terrorist networks responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil.
Precision Strikes Confirmed by Officials
Top Indian defence and foreign affairs officials, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, jointly addressed the media to confirm the strikes. They described the mission as a “clean, clinical” strike operation that inflicted maximum damage on terror infrastructure while avoiding civilian or collateral harm. The officials clarified that no military establishments were targeted, and the use of niche technology and precision warheads ensured the destruction was limited to the intended facilities.
Targets in Pakistan: Deep Strikes Across the Border
Among the major targets in Pakistan were camps with a long history of training and harboring terrorists:
- Sarjal Camp, Sialkot: Located just 6 km from the international border, this Lashkar-e-Taiba training camp was linked to the killing of four policemen in Jammu and Kashmir in March.
- Mehmoona Joya, near Sialkot: A facility operated by Hizbul Mujahideen, it played a critical role in past attacks in the Kathua-Jammu region, including the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack.
- Markaz Taiba, Muridke: Considered the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, this camp is infamous for training Ajmal Kasab, one of the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. David Headley, a key planner in the attack, also reportedly received training here.
- Markaz Subhanallah, Bahawalpur: Jaish-e-Mohammad’s main recruitment and indoctrination hub, often frequented by its leader Masood Azhar, was also hit in the strikes.
Targets in POK: Camps Near the Line of Control
The operation also focused on terror camps located in POK, which have long served as launchpads for cross-border terrorism:
- Sawai Nala, Muzaffarabad: Situated about 30 km from the LoC, this Lashkar-e-Taiba camp was a key training facility for terrorists who later carried out attacks in Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam.
- Syedna Bilal, Muzaffarabad: A base used by Jaish-e-Mohammad for staging attacks across the LoC. Here, terrorists were trained in jungle warfare and explosives.
- Gulpur, Kotli: This Lashkar base camp, 30 km from the LoC, was linked to terror activities in Rajouri-Poonch and the 2023 Poonch attack on a bus of pilgrims.
- Abbas Camp, Kotli: Known for training suicide bombers, this camp could accommodate around 50 militants at a time and was a strategic hub for Lashkar operatives.
- Barnala Camp, Bhimber: Just 9 km from the LoC, this camp provided advanced weapons and explosives training to new recruits, including survival tactics in rugged terrain.
Strategic Impact
According to Indian military sources, the operation marks one of the most extensive and precise strikes across the border in recent years. By focusing on high-value terror infrastructure and avoiding military targets or civilian areas, India has sent a clear signal: it will respond decisively to cross-border terrorism.
Officials noted that the success of this mission lay not only in the scale of damage inflicted but also in its execution — using advanced surveillance, intelligence inputs, and surgical precision. The strikes, they said, reaffirm India’s resolve to dismantle terror networks that threaten national security.
International Reactions and Next Steps
While official statements from Pakistan are awaited, India has briefed key international partners about the operation. New Delhi maintains that the strikes were a defensive measure, in line with its right to protect citizens from externally supported terror threats.
The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to release a formal dossier outlining evidence linking the destroyed camps to past terror incidents, aimed at garnering global support for continued pressure on Pakistan-based terror outfits.
Conclusion
The overnight destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and POK represents a landmark moment in India’s fight against terrorism. It not only neutralizes current threats but also serves as a powerful deterrent against future attacks. With zero reported collateral damage and pinpoint accuracy, the operation highlights a new era of intelligence-led precision in India’s counterterrorism strategy.
You Might Also Like:
India Shuts Baglihar and Salal Dam Gates Amid Tensions with Pakistan
Kashmir Police Detain Radical Social Media User for Spreading Anti-National Content
