India launched a series of precise military strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) under &lsquo;Operation Sindoor&rsquo;, as a direct response to the deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including tourists. The operation, which was announced on Wednesday, focused on dismantling camps linked to terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Addressing the media, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, along with Col Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, outlined the details of the operation.&nbsp;
Misri said, &ldquo;On April 22, a Pakistani and Pakistan-trained terrorist, associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched a barbaric attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Twenty-five Indians and one Nepali citizen were cowardly murdered. This is the most serious incident since the 2008 Mumbai attack considering that civilians were attacked.&rdquo;
Misri stated that despite the gravity of the incident, no concrete steps had been taken by Pakistan. &ldquo;It was found essential that the terrorists and their backers need to be punished. Pakistan did not take any action. We also had intel that further attacks on India were being planned.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He emphasised that India&rsquo;s action was in line with its right to self-defence and was carried out with restraint. &ldquo;India exercised its right to respond. The measures were measured and non-escalatory,&rdquo; Misri said.
Col Qureshi confirmed that the operation successfully destroyed terror camps that had previously trained key figures involved in past attacks. &ldquo;Terror camp where Ajmal Kasab, Daniel Headley were trained have been taken down during the operation,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
She added that civilian safety remained a priority throughout. &ldquo;India was careful in safeguarding civilian infrastructure and avoiding civilian casualties in Pakistan.&rdquo;
Misri reiterated India&rsquo;s position on Pakistan&rsquo;s alleged role in sheltering terrorists. &ldquo;Banned international terrorists find it safe from being punished in this country. Pakistan is also known for deliberately misleading the world and international platforms,&rdquo; he said.
The Indian government released a list of the sites that were targeted during the operation. These included facilities linked to previous attacks on Indian soil and known for providing training and logistical support to terrorists:
(a) Sawai Nala Camp in Muzaffarabad, PoJK &ndash; Situated 30 km from the Line of Control in Tangdhar Sector, this LeT training facility was reportedly used by terrorists involved in the attacks at Sonmarg (October 20, 2024), Gulmarg (October 24, 2024), and Pahalgam (April 22, 2025).
(b) Syedna Belal Camp in Muzaffarabad &ndash; A JeM site used as a staging area for operations. It trained operatives in weapons handling, explosives, and survival skills for operations across the LoC.
(c) Gulpur Camp in Kotli &ndash; Located 30 km from the LoC, this LeT base was linked to the attacks in Poonch on April 20, 2023 and the June 9, 2024 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims. Intelligence reports confirmed visits by 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
(d) Abbas Camp in Kotli &ndash; Approximately 13 km from the LoC opposite Rajauri, this site served as a key training centre for LeT suicide bombers and had infrastructure to support around 50 militants.
(e) Barnala Camp in Bhimber &ndash; Situated 9 km from the LoC near the Rajauri-Poonch sector, it provided instruction in weapons, improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication, and jungle survival.
(f) Sarjal Camp in Sialkot &ndash; Located 6 km from the International Border near Samba-Kathua, this camp trained the perpetrators of the March 2025 killing of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel.
(g) Mehmoona Joya Camp in Sialkot &ndash; About 12 km from the International Boundary, this Hijbul Mujahideen facility functioned as a control hub for reviving militancy in Kathua and Jammu. It was also linked to the planning of the Pathankot Air Force Base attack.
(h) Markaz Taiba in Muridke &ndash; Approximately 25 km from the International Boundary, this LeT headquarters, under Hafiz Syed&rsquo;s leadership, was used to train operatives involved in numerous attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attack. Both Ajmal Kasab and David Headley are known to have received training at this facility.
(j) Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur &ndash; Located around 100 km from the International Boundary, this JeM headquarters was used for recruitment, indoctrination, and training. The facility was regularly visited by Masood Azhar, who issued directives from there.
Misri referred to the United Nations Security Council's statement on the Pahalgam incident, highlighting the international call for accountability. &ldquo;India's latest action should be seen in this context,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Despite a fortnight having passed since the attack, there has been no demonstrable step from Pakistan to take action against the terrorist infrastructure on its territory or territory under its control. Instead all it has indulged in is denial and allegations.&rdquo;
He added that intelligence assessments indicated that additional attacks were imminent. &ldquo;Our intelligence monitoring of Pakistan-based terror modules indicated that further attacks against India were impending. There was thus a compulsion both to deter and to preempt,&rdquo; he stated.
&ldquo;This morning, India exercised its right to respond and preempt as well as deter more such cross-border attacks,&rdquo; Misri said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. It focussed on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India.&rdquo;
The strikes were conducted under the code name Operation Sindoor, symbolising the nation's collective mourning and determination in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.&nbsp;
Among the victims was Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, whose widow&rsquo;s image became a poignant symbol of the tragedy and drew national attention. Officials affirmed, &ldquo;We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.&rdquo;
The operation has resulted in widespread disruptions, particularly across northern India. The Airports Authority of India confirmed the shutdown of Srinagar airfield, with all commercial flights suspended on Wednesday.&nbsp;
IndiGo issued travel advisories for Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner, urging travellers to check flight statuses.
SpiceJet announced the suspension of operations at Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ) until further notice. Air India also temporarily halted services from Pune and Amritsar.
International aviation was also impacted. Qatar Airways suspended flights to Pakistan due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation and prioritising passenger and crew safety.
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Officials confirmed precise military action on LeT and JeM camps in Pakistan and PoK after April 22 attack

India Outlines Strikes in Key Media Briefing

Officials confirmed precise military action on LeT and JeM camps in Pakistan and PoK after April 22 attack

May 7, 2025 | 13:47 IST