New Delhi: In a significant escalation of its counter-terrorism response, India carried out airstrikes in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, under the codename Operation Sindhoor. The operation targeted nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with the first strike launched at 1:44 AM.
According to military sources, the Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure located within 100 km of the international border, including high-value militant training and launch pads. The operation was a coordinated strike by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
The nine targeted locations include:
1. Bahawalpur (Pakistan): Headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, located 100 km from the border. The base was reportedly destroyed.
2. Muridke (Pakistan): A Lashkar-e-Taiba camp, located 30 km from the border, linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
3. Gulpur (PoK): Situated 35 km from the LoC in the Poonch-Rajouri sector, used as a key militant transit point.
4. Lashkar Camp – Sawai (PoK): Located 30 km inside the Tangdhar sector, believed to be an infiltration hub.
5. Bilal Camp (PoK): A Jaish-e-Mohammed launchpad used to push terrorists across the border.
6. Kotli (PoK): A Lashkar training center just 15 km from the LoC, capable of housing over 50 militants.
7. Barnala Camp (PoK): Located 10 km from the LoC, reportedly a logistics base for infiltration missions.
8. Sarjal Camp (PoK): A Jaish training center situated 8 km from the international border, across from the Samba-Kathua sector.
9. Mehmooda Camp (near Sialkot, Pakistan): A Hizbul Mujahideen facility located 15 km from the border.
The Indian military stated that the strikes were based on actionable intelligence and aimed to dismantle terror networks involved in recent cross-border violence, including the deadly Pahalgam attack.
The Ministry of Defence has not yet disclosed casualty figures officially, but initial assessments suggest heavy damage to terrorist infrastructure. A full briefing is expected later today.