New Delhi. The Indian Armed Forces successfully executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of Wednesday, carrying out targeted strikes on nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead. Shortly after the confirmation of military strikes in Pakistan, Indian Army said in a post on X “Justice is served. Jai Hind!”. The defence ministry, in its statement, however clarified that “no Pakistani military facilities” were targeted in the operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had vowed stern action to the terror attack in Baisaran, constantly monitored the ‘Operation Sindoor’ throughout the night.
The media briefing on ‘Opeation Sindoor’ carried out last night by the Indian Air Force was addressed by the Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, instead of the defence secretary. Misri was accompanied by Colonel Sophia Quereshi from the Indian Army, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force.
The Defence Ministry’s media briefing began with a strong message, with video clippings on past terror attacks and the Pahgalgam massacre played on the screen before Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri took the podium to speak on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and their crimes against India.
Foreign Secretary Misri said that in a historic joint operation, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force conducted precision strikes at 1:44 am last night on terror infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The action was taken in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
India targeted nine locations across Pakistan and PoK that were being used to plan and execute terrorist activities. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’, was named in tribute to the women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam attack.
Colonel Sophia Quereshi from the Indian Army provided an overview of the ground operations and tactical planning involved in the precision strikes. From the Indian Air Force, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed on the aerial coordination, execution of missile strikes, and air surveillance measures undertaken during the operation.
A group called the Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. This group is connected with Lashkar-e Taiba. Pakistan links have been established in this attack, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, while briefing the media, presented video evidence of the destroyed terror camps, including footage from Muridke — the location where individuals involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, such as Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, were trained.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said, “No military installation was targeted, and till now there are no reports of civilian casualties in Pakistan.” Colonel Qureshi said during the press briefing that terror site Markaz Subhan Allah targeted by the Indian armed forces during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur was the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
She also presented videos of the Gulpur terror camp in Kotli which was targeted by the Indian armed forces during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and said that the camp situated 30 kms away from LoC and that it was base of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“This camp was active in Rajouri-Poonch region,” she said. The terrorists involved in the April 20, 2023 attack in Poonch and June 9, 2024 attack on a bus of pilgrims were trained at this camp, Qureshi added.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, in the press briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’, said that the targets chosen by the Indian armed forces were “so selected to avoid damage to civilian infrastructures and loss of any civilian lives”.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said that, “Pakistan has been known to wilfully mislead the world and international forums such as the Financial Action Task Force on this issue. The Sajid Mir case, in which this terrorist was declared dead and then in response to international pressure brought back to life, found alive and arrested, is the most glaring example.”
The nine targets in Pakistan were carefully selected to dismantle a network of anti-India terrorist infrastructure. The sites were associated with proscribed groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)—organisations that receive direct support and shelter from Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.
These groups operate out of training camps (Markaz) and launch pads, many of which are hidden within government-run buildings and institutions. While launch pads are used to stage infiltration attempts and arms training, larger facilities inside Pakistan are used for religious indoctrination, propaganda, logistics, and recruitment.
The nine targets included:
1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur
Operational since 2015, this is JeM’s primary training and indoctrination hub and functions as its de facto headquarters. It is closely linked to past attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. The facility houses JeM chief Masood Azhar and other senior leadership. Azhar has made several anti-India speeches from here, calling for jihad and recruiting youth. The site hosts regular arms and religious training.
2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke
Established in 2000 in Sheikhupura, Punjab, this is LeT’s most significant training facility, enrolling nearly 1,000 individuals annually. It offers arms training, religious indoctrination, and radicalisation. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden reportedly contributed ₹10 million for building a mosque and guest house here. The centre trained perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including Ajmal Kasab, under ISI oversight.
3. Sarjal, Tehra Kalan
This JeM facility in Narowal District operates out of a Primary Health Centre and lies just 6 km from the International Border in Samba, Jammu. It serves as a key launching site for cross-border tunnel infiltration and drone-based arms and narcotics drops. JeM commanders Mohammad Adnan Ali and Kashif Jan frequent the site, which is overseen by de facto chief Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar.
4. Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot
Located within Bhutta Kotli government premises, this Hizbul Mujahideen camp trains militants and oversees infiltration into Jammu. Commanded by Mohd Irfan Khan, alias Irfan Tanda, the facility houses around 20–25 armed militants at any given time.
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala, Bhimber
Situated on the outskirts of Barnala in PoK, this LeT camp is used to launch militants and smuggle weapons into Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi sectors. Operational commanders frequent the facility, which accommodates 100–150 cadres and plays a key role in LeT activities in the region.
6. Markaz Abbas, Kotli
A major JeM hub headed by Qari Zarrar, a senior member of the JeM council and close aide of Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar. Zarrar is wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency. The site supports infiltration routes through Poonch and Rajouri and can host up to 125 militants.
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli
One of HM’s oldest camps, this facility trains 150–200 cadres in arms handling, sniping, and survival tactics suited for mountain warfare. It plays a key role in equipping militants for cross-border incursions.
8. Shawai Nallah Camp, Muzaffarabad
Also known as Bait-ul-Mujahideen, this LeT camp is situated near the Chelabandi bridge on the Muzaffarabad–Neelum Road. It trained 26/11 attackers, including Ajmal Kasab.
Operational since the early 2000s, the site accommodates up to 250 trainees, providing ideological and military instruction. Pakistan Army trainers are known to assist in weapons training here.
9. Markaz Syedna Bilal, Muzaffarabad
This JeM transit facility lies opposite Red Fort in Muzaffarabad. Typically housing 50–100 cadres, it is overseen by Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri and supports launch operations into Jammu and Kashmir. Fugitive militant Aashiq Nengroo and other senior figures operate from here. The facility is also used by Pakistan Army’s elite Special Services Group (SSG) for training JeM fighters.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for “maximum military restraint” from India and Pakistan, saying the world cannot afford a military confrontation between the two countries.
“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” the secretary-general’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said.
His remarks came hours after the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. Altogether, nine sites have been targeted.
The US President Donald Trump has said he hoped clashes between India and Pakistan end “very quickly,” after New Delhi’s forces launched strikes and Islamabad vowed retaliation.
“They’ve been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it… I just hope it ends very quickly,” Mr. Trump said at the White House.
India has reached out to Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other nations over the past few hours after the ‘Operation Sindoor’. In its message New Delhi underlined that India’s response to the April 22 carnage by the terrorists linked to organisations based in Pakistan was “calibrated” and reflected its “non-escalatory approach”. It added that the operation underscored “India’s resolve to hold perpetrators accountable while avoiding unnecessary provocation”.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, and briefed him about the ‘Operation Sindoor’ carried out by the Indian Air Force.
