Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi, DD: In a swift and strategic response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision airstrikes in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting nine major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under ‘Operation Sindoor.’
Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the operation was launched to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam massacre and dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism. “Despite the passage of two weeks, Pakistan has taken no credible action against terror camps operating from its soil. Operation Sindoor was a necessary step,” Misri stated.
The strikes, executed around 1:44 AM, were based on high-grade intelligence and were carefully designed to avoid civilian casualties. The targets included Sawi Nallah, Syedba Bilal, Gulpur, Bhimber, Abbas, Sarjal near Sialkot, Mehmoona Joya, Markaz-e-Toiba in Muridke, and Marka Subhna Allah in Bahawalpur—some of which are directly linked to the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), through its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, where tourists were gunned down in front of their families. Authorities believe the incident was aimed at derailing peace and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, which has welcomed over 2.5 crore visitors in recent years.
Indian officials confirmed that the attackers trained at camps such as Gulpur and Bhimber, both of which were neutralized during the strikes. “Pakistan remains a safe haven for terror outfits like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, operating under new names but with the same deadly intent,” said Misri.
Describing the strikes as a “non-escalatory, precise, and responsible” measure, military officials including Colonel Sofiya Quresh and Wing Commander Yomika Singh emphasized that all nine targets were destroyed with utmost care to avoid collateral damage. “This was a mission for justice. Our forces demonstrated restraint and accuracy,” they said.
India has also submitted detailed intelligence on TRF, LeT, and JeM operations to the UN monitoring team. The UN Security Council has already condemned the Pahalgam killings, urging accountability for the perpetrators.
While India reaffirmed its commitment to peace, officials warned of continued threats from Pakistan-backed terror groups. “India will not tolerate terrorism. Our forces are fully prepared to defend the nation and respond decisively when provoked,” Misri concluded.
The operation has sparked strong national support and widespread relief among the families of victims, underscoring India’s resolve: Terror will be met with justice (DD)
