Early on Wednesday morning, India conducted a precision military strike called Operation Sindoor, hitting nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The multi-branch operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, the first such tri-services attack since the 1971 war.
The targets were major terrorist training camps and centers, some of the most important and longest-standing terror bases in the area.
Why These Targets Were Chosen
Every one of the nine targets chosen for the operation in Operation Sindoor had a deep history of being linked to large terror plots and infiltration attempts into India. Indian intelligence sources indicated that the locations were strategically targeted considering their place in the region’s terrorist environment and their ability to operate within the region to plot attacks in Indian territory.
Key Targets and Their Significance
Bahawalpur: This is the stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror outfit of Masood Azhar, and is situated in southern Punjab in Pakistan. Bahawalpur has been implicated in several top-profile attacks against India, most notably the Parliament attack in 2001 and the Pulwama bombing of 2019.
Muridke: Approximately 40 kilometers north of Lahore, Muridke is the stronghold of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks. LeT’s training camps and indoctrination centers are based here, with more than 200 acres for terror activities.
Kotli: Kotli is a center of excellence for suicide bomber and insurgent training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with more than 50 trainees at any given point. This is a key base for cross-border infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.
Gulpur: Situated close to the Line of Control, Gulpur is often used as a staging point for operations targeting Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch regions.
Sawai: Linked to north Kashmir attacks, especially in the regions of Sonmarg and Pahalgam, Sawai is another prime location that was attacked under the operation.
Sarjal and Barnala: The areas along the International Border and LoC have been recognized as infiltration corridors, often used by terror outfits for crossing into India.
Mehmoona: Located close to Sialkot, this location has been linked with Hizbul Mujahideen, an outfit operating in Kashmir, even though its influence is going down.
Operation Sindoor: A Coordinated Military Response
At 1.44 am on Wednesday, the Operation Sindoor began with a flurry of precision strikes with long-range standoff weapons. India intended to destroy the logistical, operational, and training capabilities of outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
These were targeted at destroying the major terrorist infrastructure without hitting Pakistani military bases, thereby keeping a priority on terror networks instead of intensifying military hostilities.
Diplomatic Outreach
After the strikes, India swiftly initiated diplomatic efforts in the capitals of the world, promptly informing officials in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This initiative was, in fact, aimed at ensuring that India’s actions were clearly placed within the framework of self-defense against cross-border terrorism.
Operation Sindoor is a landmark event in India’s counter-terror policy. The accuracy and coordination exhibited in the operation reflect India’s determination to bring Pakistan-based terror groups to book for their activities.
As the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed loud—”From Kargil to Kanyakumari, there is sorrow and anger. This attack was not against innocent tourists; the enemies of the country have had the temerity to target India’s soul”—this counterattack is a much-needed message to those who seek to unleash violence on India.
