Operation Sindoor: How India Executed Precision Strikes on Pakistan, PoK - and Why 9 Terror Hideouts Were Specifically Targeted
In the early hours of Wednesday, India launched a decisive tri-services operation - " Operation Sindoor " - targeting nine high-value terror hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Carried out entirely from Indian soil, the mission was a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali citizen. The strikes were described by the Ministry of Defence as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," carefully calibrated to avoid Pakistani military installations.
A Unified Military Response
"Operation Sindoor" was executed through seamless coordination between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Armed with precise intelligence inputs, the Indian forces deployed special precision-guided munitions to eliminate key terror hubs. Of the nine terror facilities destroyed, four were deep within Pakistan, while five were in PoK - underscoring the geographical breadth and operational complexity of the mission. Why These Targets Mattered
The selected sites weren’t arbitrary - each had a long history of sheltering and enabling terrorism against India. Among the targets were the operational nerve centres of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). These facilities weren’t just training camps; they were full-fledged ecosystems of radicalisation, indoctrination, logistics, and tactical planning. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur (JeM)
Located on the strategic Karachi-Torkham Highway, this 15-acre facility served as JeM’s command centre. Besides training over 600 cadres, it housed top leadership, including Masood Azhar. Its involvement in the 2019 Pulwama attack and 2001 Parliament attack marked it as a high-priority target. Markaz Taiba, Muridke (LeT)
Spread across a massive 82 acres, this LeT headquarters was a multi-functional complex with madrassas, arms training zones, and radicalisation hubs. It enrolled around 1,000 students annually. Notably, Osama Bin Laden is known to have funded part of its infrastructure in 2000, underlining the international terror links rooted here. Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialkot (HM)
This HM launchpad, masquerading as a hospital building, was used for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir. It was led by Irfan Tanda, a long-time militant with a bloody track record, including the deadly 1995 Jammu Stadium blast. Strategic Hits in PoK
India’s focus wasn’t just on Pakistani Punjab. Several facilities in PoK also faced targeted strikes due to their role in arms smuggling and infiltration into Indian territory. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala (LeT): This site functioned as a transit point for terrorists infiltrating into Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi. It was linked to several deadly civilian attacks in recent years.
Markaz Abbas, Kotli (JeM): Situated close to a military camp, this housed high-ranking JeM leaders like Qari Zarrar and his son Muaz. Both were heavily involved in attacks on Indian Army positions and raising terror funds from Afghanistan.
Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli (HM): An old and heavily fortified HM camp hidden in forested hills, it provided both basic and advanced training, including sniper and survival courses. The facility had hosted HM chief Syed Salahuddin himself.
Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad (LeT): A longstanding LeT stronghold, this camp offered everything from religious radicalisation to tactical training, even using Pakistan Army trainers. It was a known base for organizing refresher and advanced weapons training.
A Measured but Clear Message
India's military objective was as much strategic as symbolic. By avoiding military facilities, India ensured the operation didn't cross into a full-blown conflict zone. Yet, it made clear that terror safe havens would not go unpunished. Following the strikes, India diplomatically briefed several global powers. NSA Ajit Doval informed US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, about the intelligence and evidence pointing to Pakistan-based groups’ involvement in the Pahalgam massacre. The Indian Embassy in Washington stated, "India has credible leads, technical inputs, testimony of the survivors and other evidence pointing towards the clear involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in this attack."
Despite expectations for Pakistan to clamp down on these groups, the embassy said, "Instead, during the fortnight that has gone by, Pakistan has indulged in denial and made allegations of false flag operations against India."
"Operation Sindoor" stands as a bold assertion of India's resolve to dismantle terror infrastructures that have long threatened its sovereignty. With pinpoint strikes and international diplomatic backing, the operation redefines the rules of engagement against cross-border terrorism - signalling that while India seeks peace, it will not hesitate to act when provoked.