Based on credible intelligence regarding their involvement in cross-border terrorism, the Indian armed forces conducted a 25-minute operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’, destroying nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POJK) between 1:05 am and 1:30 am on Wednesday. Military officials, including Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi, announced at a press conference that this action was in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and aimed to deliver justice to the victims and their families.
Wing Commander Singh stated, “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in its response. However, Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to Pakistani misadventure, if any, to escalate the situation.”
The women officers explained that the strikes on the terror camps were carried out with precision capability, utilizing carefully selected warheads to ensure no collateral damage. Wing Commander Singh emphasized, “The point of impact in each of the target was a specific building or a group of buildings.”
Col Qureshi, elaborating in Hindi, added, “All the targets were neutralised with clinical efficiency and the results reiterate the professionalism of the Indian Armed forces in planning and execution of operations.”
Wing Commander Singh further clarified, “No military establishments were targeted. There have been no reports of collateral damage so far,” confirming that nine terrorist camps were “targeted and successfully destroyed”.
She highlighted that over the past three decades, Pakistan has systematically developed a terror infrastructure, comprising “a complex web of recruitment and indoctrination centres, training areas for initial and refresher courses and launch pads with handlers. These camps are located both in Pakistan as well as Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
The selection of these targets, she explained, was based on reliable intelligence and their established role in orchestrating terror activities. “The locations were so selected to avoid damage to civilian installations and loss of civilian lives,” Wing Commander Singh affirmed.
The details of the destroyed camps, as provided by the two officers, are as follows:
In Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir (POJK):
- Sawai Nala Camp, Muzaffarabad: Located 30 km from the Line of Control (LoC) in the Tangdhar Sector, this was identified as a key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training facility. The terror module originating from this camp was implicated in attacks on civilians and security forces in Sonmarg (October 20, 2024), Gulmarg (October 24, 2024), and Pahalgam (April 22).
- Syedna Belal Camp, Muzaffarabad: This Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp served as a staging area, providing training in weapons, explosives, and jungle survival techniques for terrorists operating across the LoC in the Kashmir region.
- Gulpur Camp, Kotli: Situated 30 km from the LoC, this camp was a base for LeT terrorists active in the Rajouri-Poonch area. Terrorists trained here were involved in attacks in Poonch (April 20, 2023) and the attack on pilgrims in a bus (June 9, 2024). Intelligence indicated that Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a key figure in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, frequently visited this camp for indoctrination.
- Abbas Camp, Kotli: Located approximately 13 km from the LoC opposite Rajauri, this camp was known as a central training hub for LeT suicide bombers, with infrastructure to train around 50 terrorists.
- Barnala Camp, Bhimber: Situated 9 km from the LoC opposite the Rajauri-Poonch Sector, this camp provided training in weapon handling, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making, and jungle survival techniques.
In Pakistan:
- Sarjal Camp, Sialkot: Located about six km from the International Border opposite Samba-Kathua, this camp was used to train and launch the terrorists responsible for the deaths of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel in March 2025.
- Mehmoona Joya Camp, Sialkot: Situated around 12 km from the International Boundary near Sialkot, this was a key training facility of Hizbul Mujahideen and served as a control center for the resurgence of terrorism in the Kathua and Jammu region. Major terrorist attacks, including the attack on Pathankot Air Force Base, were reportedly planned and directed from this camp.
- Markaz Taiba, Muridke: Located approximately 25 km from the International Boundary, this was the headquarters of LeT, led by Hafiz Saeed. Terrorists trained here have been linked to numerous attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Ajmal Kasab, the captured Pakistani terrorist from the Mumbai attacks, confessed to receiving training in Muridke. Inputs also suggested that David Coleman Headley received training at this camp.
- Markaz Subhan, Bahawalpur: Located about 100 km from the International Boundary, this served as the headquarters of JeM. The camp was used for the recruitment, training, and indoctrination of JeM terrorists and was frequently visited by terrorist commanders, including Masood Azhar, who issued directives to their cadres from this location.
