“Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahawalpur Hub, Linked to Kasab and Headley, Hit in Operation Sindoor”: Army

In a decisive response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Indian armed forces executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday morning. The strikes, described by the Ministry of Defence as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” avoided civilian and Pakistani military targets, focusing solely on terror infrastructure.

According to a government briefing, the operation was a direct retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stating it aimed to deliver justice to the victims. The nine targets, including four in Pakistan Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and others and five in PoK, were selected based on reliable intelligence confirming their role in cross-border terrorism. Bahawalpur, a stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), served as a hub for arms, ammunition, and training.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi emphasized that the targets were chosen to minimize civilian risk, with precision munitions ensuring accuracy. The operation involved coordinated efforts by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, using advanced weaponry like loitering munitions. Sources told that intelligence agencies provided precise coordinates, and all strikes were launched from Indian soil.

Two of the targets, including Bahawalpur, were considered during the 2019 Balakot strikes but were spared to avoid escalation. This time, the Indian forces acted decisively, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitoring the operation overnight. The strikes successfully destroyed all nine terror camps, marking a significant blow to groups like JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Pakistan’s external affairs ministry claimed the Indian Air Force used standoff weapons, striking targets across the Line of Control and international border. Following the operation, Pakistani media reported unverified claims of civilian casualties, which India’s Ministry of Defence has not addressed.