In a display of counter-terrorism approach, India has executed a massive aerial strike code named, Operation Sindoor, on several terror camps in Pakistan’s Punjab province as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This major cross-border action was undertaken as a retaliatory measure against the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 innocent tourists, predominantly Hindus were killed in cold blood.
The Indian Air Force launched the strikes around 1:30 AM, using Scalp missiles in a series of precision attacks on nine identified terror hubs.
The targeted locations included Bahawalpur, Muridke, Faisalabad, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad—all of which are notorious strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
One of the main targets was Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, headed by infamous terrorist Masood Azhar. Reports have indicated Azhar was last seen close to the group’s madrasa at Bahawalpur, where it operated as a recruitment and training center, as well as a source for fundraising for terrorist activities. Indian missiles destroyed this madrasa, along with terrorist training facilities in Muridke, associated with Hafiz Saeed’s Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Preliminary estimates are that around 70 terrorists were eliminated, and critical infrastructure used to carry out attacks on Indian territory was destroyed.
Indian forces also targeted Pakistani air retaliation in the operation, reportedly downing Pakistani F-16 and JF-17 fighter aircraft, with one JF-17 being brought down using the Akash missile system.
The size and accuracy of the strike represent a new era in India’s security policy, as assessed by defense experts. It is the first time that India has attacked deep inside mainland Pakistan, in the Punjab province, instead of confining operations to PoK. Strategic commentators say this move makes it amply clear that India will not accept cross-border terrorism and is prepared to take strong action to safeguard its citizens.
The assault was carefully limited and unprovocative, taking special care to avoid targeting Pakistani military forces in order to prevent it from escalating into war. Official sources made it clear that the objective was to counter terror threats and not attack the Pakistani state or trigger a war.
This assertive reaction is being viewed as India’s attempt to create credible deterrence, particularly after a string of attacks attributed to Masood Azhar’s JeM, such as the 2019 Pulwama bomb blast and the Pathankot airbase attack in 2016. Operation Sindoor, which is symbolically named, highlights India’s determination to strike back hard against those who shed the blood of the innocent on its territory.
