‘Operation Sindoor’: Over 80 Terrorists Killed
In retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Indian armed forces launched a series of precision strikes in the early hours of Wednesday targeting terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to top-level security sources, more than 80 terrorists were killed in the operation, which was codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’. The development has significantly escalated tensions along the borders of both nations.
The strikes targeted a total of nine facilities associated with the proscribed terrorist organisations Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. Reports indicate that the operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.
According to official sources, the most extensive damage occurred at key locations associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba—Bahawalpur and Muridke, respectively. Approximately 25 to 30 terrorists were estimated to have been killed in each of these sites. The Muridke base in Pakistan has long been considered a “terror nursery” and serves as the ideological headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence agencies are still verifying the number of casualties at other targeted locations, with initial estimates suggesting a total of 80 to 90 terrorists may have been killed.
Reports also indicate that launchpads used for infiltrating terrorists, training centres, and indoctrination facilities that lure youth into terrorism were destroyed during the strikes. These centres were reportedly operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, both of which are under United Nations sanctions.
Following the strikes, the Indian Army released a video on social media platform X with the message, “Justice has been served.” Pakistan, however, strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “a blatant act of war.” Pakistani authorities alleged that eight civilians, including a child, were killed in the attacks.
Among the other targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed sites were the Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan and the Markaz Abbas facility in Kotli, as well as the Sayyadna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Markaz Ahle Hadees in Barnala and Shwai Nalla Camp in Muzaffarabad were also hit. In addition, facilities affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, including the Markaz Raheel Shaheed in Kotli and the Mehmuna Zoya training centre in Sialkot, were destroyed.
Of the nine identified terrorist sites, four were located within Pakistan's territory while the remaining five were situated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Officials clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted during the operation. However, allegations persist that Pakistan's army, its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and Special Services Group (SSG) provide support to these terrorist training infrastructures.
In the aftermath of the strikes, Pakistani forces launched intense shelling and mortar attacks along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials confirmed that three Indian civilians were killed in the exchange. Indian security forces responded in kind, and as of the latest reports, cross-border firing continues on both sides.