OPERATION SINDOOR Targets 9 Pakistani Terror Sites

Recently, the Indian Military initiated ‘OPERATION SINDOOR‘, striking terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist operations against India have been organised and coordinated. Nine (9) targets have been struck.

Our responses have been aimed, measured and non-provocative in nature. No Pakistani military bases have been attacked. India has shown significant restraint in target selection and mode of operation. These measures follow the savage Pahalgam terrorist attack, where 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen were killed. We are fulfilling our commitment to bring those responsible for this attack to book. There will be a comprehensive briefing on ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, later today.

Operation Sindoor – Government and Army Briefing Summary

• India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).

• 9 terrorist infrastructure sites linked to banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen were precisely struck.

• The Indian government clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted—only non-state terror elements.

• Operation Sindoor was a retaliatory strike for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 Indian civilians (mostly tourists) were brutally killed.

• The attackers in Pahalgam were identified as Pakistan-based terrorists. Victims were killed in front of family members to instill fear and disrupt peace.

• The government accused Pakistan of having a well-documented record as a haven for terrorism.

Over the Last Decade

• 350+ Indian civilians have been killed in cross-border terrorism.

• 800+ injured, and 600+ security personnel martyred.

• The government said, “No more” – India will not tolerate further attacks.

What is OPERATION SINDOOR?

OPERATION SINDOOR is the name given by the Indian Armed Forces to the retaliatory precision strikes carried out on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

Nine Terror Sites Targeted Under Operation Sindoor

According to official sources, nine terror camps were destroyed — 4 located inside Pakistan and 5 within PoJK.

Confirmed Targets in Pakistan

1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur – Jaish-e-Mohammed HQ

2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke – Lashkar-e-Taiba base

3. Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot – Hizbul Mujahideen camp

4. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala – LeT linked religious-indoctrination hub

Confirmed Targets in PoJK

5. Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad – Jaish training centre

6. Shwawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad – LeT operations unit

7. Makaz Raheel Shahid, Kotli – Hizbul Mujahideen centre

8. Markaz Abbas, Kotli – JeM safehouse

9. Sarjal Facility, Tehra Kalan – weapons & IED storage

Key Highlights of OPERATION SINDOOR

• Target: Nine terror-associated sites were attacked, including the offices of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke.
• Forces Used: A joint effort by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
• Method: Advanced precision strike weapon systems were employed, with attacks launched from Indian territory.
• Nature: The operation was termed “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” with no Pakistani military installations attacked.
• Rationale: India reported that it was implementing its pledge to bring those culpable for the Pahalgam attack to justice.

Pakistan has cleared its airspace following India’s Operation Sindoor mission that hit nine locations. This followed after explosions were heard in various cities, including Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur. The report further stated that power was blacked out in Muzaffarabad.

It said Indian armed forces’ actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature, adding that “no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the choice of targets and the method of implementation.”

Significance of OPERATION SINDOOR

This operation SINDOOR, is a major escalation of India’s reaction to cross-border terrorism and is said to be the first time since the 1971 Indo-Pak war that all three branches of the Indian military have cooperated to strike targets within Pakistan. The name “Sindoor,” a Hindi term for the vermilion that married Hindu women wear, is said to represent national mourning and determination, especially for the couples who were targeted in the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistan’s Response After Operation

1. Civilian Casualties

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry claimed that eight civilians were killed and 35 others were injured, including women and children, as a result of the missile strikes. The Pakistani army also alleged that Indian missiles targeted civilian areas in cities like Sialkot and Muzaffarabad. However, India rejected these claims, reiterating that only terror camps were struck.

2. Military Retaliation

• After India’s strikes, Pakistan resorted to artillery shelling and firing across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), leading to heightened tensions along the border.

• Three Indian civilians were reported killed in the Pakistani shelling. India’s military responded proportionately.

3. Pakistan Claims to Have Shot Down Indian Jets

In a significant escalation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian jets:

• Three Rafale aircraft

• One SU-30

• One MiG-29

This claim was later confirmed by Pakistani officials, who also stated that Indian pilots had been captured. However, these claims have not been independently verified by India.

4. Statements from Pakistan’s Leadership

Pakistani leaders condemned India’s military actions, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling it a “cowardly attack”. Pakistan reserved the right to respond decisively to what it termed as an unprovoked attack.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “We will respond if India attacks, but if they back down, we will de-escalate.”

Impact on Civilian Life and Flights

Amid rising tensions, flight operations in northern India were severely affected:

• Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet cancelled or diverted flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, and several other cities.

• Airports in these regions were temporarily closed, and flights were disrupted until further notice.

Global Reactions and Geopolitical Implications

• International Concern: The international community has expressed concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, urging both sides to de-escalate and engage in dialogue.

• US and UN Responses: The United States and the United Nations have urged restraint and called for peace to be maintained in the region, fearing that the situation could escalate into a larger conflict.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor marks a significant shift in India’s approach to counter-terrorism. By targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, India has sent a strong message about its resolve to act against terror groups operating on its borders. However, the operation has also led to heightened tensions, with Pakistan responding militarily and claiming civilian casualties.

As the situation unfolds, global observers will be watching closely to see if this escalation can be contained or if it leads to a larger military conflict. For now, the focus remains on the safety and security of civilians, the need for diplomatic channels to remain open, and the importance of international efforts to avoid further escalation in the already volatile region.

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