Srinagar, May 07 (KNS): In a calculated retaliation to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians on April 22, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ early on Wednesday. The mission targeted nine critical terrorist training camps situated in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the media in New Delhi this morning, stating that the operation aimed to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam attack to justice. “Despite two weeks passing, Pakistan has not taken any significant steps against the terrorist infrastructure in its region,” Misri said.
The operation, which commenced at 1:44 AM, was meticulously planned using precise intelligence. It successfully eliminated all identified terror camps without causing civilian casualties or damaging military facilities.
The terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), through its front The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, where gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing civilians in front of their families. This marked the deadliest attack on Indian civilians since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Misri emphasized that the assault was aimed at destabilizing peace and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, which has witnessed over 2.5 crore visitors in recent years. The attack was also intended to fuel communal tensions, he added.
“Pakistan remains a hub for terrorism, offering shelter and support to groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed under various guises,” Misri pointed out.
The strikes have been described by Indian officials as “non-escalatory, precise, and responsible” measures.
Military personnel, including Colonel Sofiya Quresh and Wing Commander Yomika Singh, who were present at the media briefing with Misri, emphasized that the operation was a pursuit of justice.
“All nine targets were destroyed. We exercised the utmost restraint to prevent any civilian harm,” they affirmed.
India has shared comprehensive intelligence on TRF, LeT, and JeM with the United Nations (UN) monitoring team, shedding light on their activities through new proxy fronts. The UN Security Council (UNSC) has condemned the Pahalgam attack and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
While India’s response has been measured, government sources warned that future terror attempts by Pakistan-based groups remain a concern. “We have shown patience, but our armed forces remain fully prepared to protect our citizens and respond as necessary,” Misri concluded.
The terror camps targeted during ‘Operation Sindoor’ include Markaz Subhan Allah, Jaish-e-Mohammad – Bahawalpur, Pakistan, located in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, is a significant center for JeM's operations and training. Spread over 15 acres, it serves as the headquarters for the group, housing high-ranking leaders and operatives. JeM's chief, Maulana Masood Azhar, and other senior functionaries reside here, and the camp has been involved in planning major attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama strike. The facility also conducts various forms of indoctrination and physical training for its recruits. The Markaz is supported by funds from various countries, including Gulf and African nations, and it has been operational since 2015.
Established in 2000, the Markaz Taiba in Muridke, Punjab, is another key facility for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), where radicalization, training, and indoctrination of militants take place. Spread across 82 acres, the complex includes madrassas, residential areas for operatives, and various training facilities. LeT recruits, both local and foreign, undergo intense ideological and physical training here. The Markaz also houses several top LeT leaders, including those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Despite being banned internationally, LeT continues to operate freely in Pakistan, using the Markaz as a base for its terror activities.
The Sarjal/Tehra Kalan facility of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Shakargarh area of Narowal District in Punjab Pakistan serves as a primary launch point for JeM’s terrorist infiltration operations into Jammu and Kashmir. Located in Shakargarh Tehsil, Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan, it is camouflaged within a Primary Health Center in Tehra Kalan Village of the Sarjal area to hide its true purpose. The Pakistani ISI has supported the establishment of such facilities within government buildings along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) to conceal terror infrastructure.
The JeM facility in Sarjal holds strategic importance due to its proximity (around 6 km) to the IB in the Samba sector of Jammu, J&K.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelIt is used for constructing cross-border infiltration tunnels, many of which have been built by handlers at this location. The facility also supports drone operations for the airlifting of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics into Indian territory, and there are plans to use drones for terrorist infiltration.
This site includes a control room equipped with HF radio receivers and other communication tools used by JeM and Hizbul-Mujahideen terrorists. It facilitates encrypted communications with operatives in J&K. The facility consists of one-story buildings with rooms for PHC staff and additional quarters used by JeM for their operatives and commanders. Around 20-25 JeM terrorists are stationed here to oversee infiltration attempts and terrorist activities.
Despite international condemnation, JeM continues its operations from this facility, highlighting its ongoing terror activities.
The Mehmoona Joya facility, situated near Kotli Bhutta Govt Hospital in Sialkot District, Punjab, Pakistan, is used by Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) for infiltrating cadres into Jammu and Kashmir. Like other terror facilities, it is housed within a government building to disguise its purpose. At this facility, HM operatives undergo training for terrorist activities and weapons handling under the guidance of senior commanders, including Mohammad Irfan Khan, also known as Irfan Tanda. Tanda has a history of violent attacks in Jammu and leads multiple infiltration attempts from this facility.
The facility consists of a single-story building with rooms for training, living quarters for HM operatives, and a kitchen. It can accommodate about 50 operatives at a time. Key HM commanders, such as Atta Al Rehman Alfezey, Abu Lala, and Maaz Bhai, also operate from this facility, orchestrating infiltration operations and terror attacks in J&K. The HM’s illicit activities persist despite Pakistan’s supposed ban on such organizations.
The Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, PoJK, is a significant center for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operations, particularly for infiltrating terrorists and arms into the Poonch, Rajauri, and Reasi sectors of J&K. Located near Barnala town, this facility can house up to 150 cadres, although around 40-50 operatives are typically stationed there. It serves as a staging ground for LeT operatives before they infiltrate Indian territory.
Notable LeT operatives such as Qasim Gujjar, Qasim Khanda, and Anas Jarar, who have been involved in major attacks, operate from this facility. This Markaz has also been linked to recent attacks, including the 2023 Dhangri massacre and the 2024 bus attack in Reasi.
Located in Mohalla Roli Dhara Bypass Road, Kotli, PoJK, Markaz Abbas serves as a key facility for JeM. It accommodates around 100-125 cadres, with 40-50 present at all times. This facility is led by Qari Zarrar, a founding member of JeM. Zarrar and his associates have been involved in numerous attacks, including the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack. This facility also functions as a storage site for weapons and ammunition, some of which have been moved here from other locations in Pakistan. JeM uses this base for launching and coordinating terrorist operations in J&K.
Maskar Raheel Shahid in Kotli District, PoJK, is one of Hizbul Mujahideen's oldest facilities, used for terrorist training and operations. Set in a secluded, forested area, the facility can accommodate up to 200 terrorists. It includes barracks, a weapons storage room, and a training area. This camp specializes in training for sniping, BAT (Border Action Team) operations, and survival tactics, specifically in hilly terrains. Despite being declared a terrorist entity, Hizbul Mujahideen continues to operate from this site.
Shawai Nallah is a key training camp for Lashkar-e-Taiba, used for indoctrinating and training cadres. Located near the Chelabandi Bridge in Muzaffarabad, PoJK, it hosts approximately 50-100 operatives undergoing a range of terror-related training. This includes religious indoctrination, physical training, and tactical courses on using firearms and explosives. The camp has been used to train terrorists involved in major attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Syedna Bilal Markaz in Muzaffarabad, PoJK, is JeM's main operational base in the region. It is situated near the Red Fort and includes a three-story building with a mosque and a medical facility. This center is used as a transit point for JeM operatives before they are sent into Jammu and Kashmir. It also serves as a training facility, with some training conducted by Pakistani Special Forces. The facility is run by Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, a senior JeM leader involved in planning attacks against India.(KNS)