India Hits Terror Camps in Pakistan and PoK, Avoids Military Targets

India carried out precision strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday. This came two weeks after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.

India Responds to Pahalgam Massacre

Two weeks ago, terrorists attacked civilians in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. In response, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor.
According to the Defence Ministry, the strikes hit terror bases “from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”

Strikes Were Precise and Restrained

Importantly, the ministry said, “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.” It also clarified, “No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
The announcement came at 1:44 AM.

Symbolic Name for the Mission

The name “Operation Sindoor” refers to the red powder Hindu women wear as a sign of marriage. During the Pahalgam attack, several husbands were killed in front of their wives. One victim was a newlywed Indian Navy officer on his honeymoon.

India Hits Key Terror Hubs

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force targeted terror camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK.
Muridke hosts Lashkar-e-Taiba’s main base, while Bahawalpur is linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Kotli and Muzaffarabad have long sheltered both groups. Reportedly, the strikes hit launch pads 2–6 km from the Line of Control and camps 8–16 km deeper inside.

India Shows Resolve

Soon after the operation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted, “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” The Indian Army also posted: “#PahalgamTerrorAttack Justice is Served. Jai Hind!”

Pakistan Denounces the Action

In contrast, Pakistan strongly condemned the strikes. Its foreign ministry called them an “unprovoked and blatant act of war.” It also claimed civilian deaths, including women and children, and warned of a threat to commercial air traffic.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “India carried out a cowardly attack on five places. Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war.”

Diplomatic Tensions Rise

As a result, Pakistan convened a National Security Committee meeting at 10 AM with its top military leaders. It also accused India of pushing a “sham narrative of victimhood” and putting regional peace at risk. Pakistan claimed the Pahalgam attack was being used to stir conflict between two nuclear-armed states.

India Shares Intelligence with Allies

However, the Indian embassy in the U.S. said India had “credible leads, technical inputs, testimony of the survivors and other evidence” showing the role of Pakistan-based terrorists.
The embassy added, “It was expected that Pakistan would take action against terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them. Instead, Pakistan indulged in denial and made allegations of false flag operations against India.”

Global Reactions

Soon after the strikes, NSA Ajit Doval briefed U.S. NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Senior Indian officials also informed leaders in the U.K., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Russia. At the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said the situation was “a shame.” He remarked, “I guess people knew something was gonna happen… Now, I just hope it ends very quickly.”

Background of the Crisis

The Pahalgam attack was the deadliest civilian strike in Jammu and Kashmir in nearly 20 years. It was also India’s worst terror attack since the 2008 Mumbai attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, India took several steps:

• It suspended the Indus Waters Treaty

• Closed the land border at Attari

• Cut trade ties with Pakistan

In turn, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian flights and held military exercises, including missile tests.

Modi Gave Full Freedom to Forces

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave India’s armed forces full operational freedom. He allowed them to choose the timing, targets, and methods for India’s response. With Operation Sindoor, India has made it clear that cross-border terror will not go unanswered.