• Source:JND
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Operation Sindoor: In response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India launched a swift and precise military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. This operation saw Indian forces crossing approximately 100 kilometres into Pakistan’s Punjab region, delivering missile strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POJK), and successfully obliterating nine terrorist hideouts.

The joint operation, carried out by the Indian Army and Air Force, targeted the strongholds of two of Pakistan’s most notorious terror groups: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). These groups, led by notorious terrorist masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, were believed to be operating from heavily fortified bases. The operation’s success in destroying these sites sent a powerful message of India’s determination to combat terrorism.

Five Important Facts of Operation Sindoor

1. Mission Accomplished in Just 25 Minutes

One of the most remarkable aspects of Operation Sindoor was the speed and precision with which it was executed. Between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM, Indian forces launched 24 advanced missiles, each with pinpoint accuracy, targeting terror sites across Pakistan and PoJK. The operation, lasting just 25 minutes, was a testament to the high level of coordination and technology used by India’s military forces.

Colonel Sofia Qureshi from the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Air Force detailed the operation at a press conference the following morning. They confirmed that the strike targeted the headquarters of LeT and JeM, along with other sites involved in terrorism. Wing Commander Singh clarified that the weapons used were chosen for their precision, ensuring the attacks were focused solely on the designated targets without causing collateral damage.

While the specific types of missiles and weapons used remain classified, it is believed that advanced systems like Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles, Hammer smart weapons, guided bomb kits, and M-777 howitzers firing Excalibur ammunition were among the tools used in this successful operation.

2. Operation Sindoor Stands Out

Pakistan has publicly acknowledged the heavy losses inflicted by the operation, with dozens of terrorists and their close associates reported dead. This military action was seen as far more significant, both strategically and operationally, than the previous retaliatory strikes following the Uri attack and the Pulwama attack.

Colonel Qureshi shared additional details, revealing that credible intelligence played a key role in selecting the nine targets. These hideouts were specifically chosen due to their direct involvement in planning and executing terrorist activities against India. Emphasising India’s commitment to avoiding civilian casualties, she assured that every effort was made to prevent damage to civilian infrastructure.

3. Targeted Precision: No Civilian Damage

The nine targets selected in the operation were all buildings or complexes directly linked to terrorist activities. These sites were either completely destroyed or neutralised. Remarkably, no military or civilian infrastructure was hit, demonstrating India’s restraint and focus on counterterrorism.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh responded to Pakistan’s raised rhetoric of war, stressing that India’s forces were fully prepared to handle any attempts to escalate the situation.

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4. Destruction of Hafiz Saeed’s Hideouts

Among the terrorist hideouts destroyed in the operation were key locations associated with Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Notable targets included:

- Sarjal Camp (Sialkot), located just 6 km from the international border.

- Mehmoona Zoya Camp (Sialkot), 11 km from the border.

- Markaz Tayyaba (Muridke), 25 km from the border, which served as the headquarters for Saeed's Lashkar-e-Taiba and the training ground for Ajmal Kasab and David Coleman Headley, the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks. Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur, located 100 km from the border, was a known base for the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group, frequently visited by its leader, Masood Azhar.

In PoJK, Sawai Nala Camp in Muzaffarabad, a known training ground for LeT militants, was destroyed. This site was linked to recent attacks on Indian security forces in Pahalgam and Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, Saidna Bilal Camp and Gulpur Camp in Kotli, associated with the training of terrorists who attacked pilgrims in Poonch-Rajouri in 2024, were also neutralised.

ALSO READ:NIA Seeks Public Help In Pahalgam Terror Attack, Urges Witnesses To Share Photos, Videos; Releases Helpline Numbers

5. Terrorists Training Camp Destroyed

Colonel Qureshi revealed that Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, frequently visited Gulpur Camp to radicalise and brainwash terrorists. She further justified India's military action, explaining that Pakistan had spent over three decades building a complex network of terrorist infrastructure across the country, including recruitment centres, training camps, and operational launch pads.

This structure, which spans Pakistan and POJK, has been responsible for a continuous wave of attacks in India. The goal of targeting these nodes was clear: to cripple the operational capabilities of terrorist organisations in the region. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also mentioned that investigations into the Pahalgam terrorist attack had revealed communication logs between terrorists and Pakistan.