In a major counter-terror move, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday, successfully striking nine terror targets, four in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur, Muridke and Sialkot and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, ANI reported.
The coordinated operation, involving the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, used special precision munitions to target key terrorist infrastructure linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). These groups have been accused of directing and sponsoring terror attacks in India.
According to officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitored the operation closely throughout the night, reviewing updates and mission progress in real-time.
“All nine targets were successfully hit,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, noting the attacks were “focused, measured and non-escalatory” in nature. It emphasised that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted, underlining India’s restraint in both target selection and method of execution.
Three JeM terror hotbeds hit hard
According to the ANI report, the strike was done on three terrorist hotbeds inside Pakistan. The targets, linked to proscribed terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), included highly fortified training and indoctrination hubs that have long operated with impunity under the protection of Pakistan’s intelligence establishment, the report stated.
1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur (Punjab, Pakistan)
This 15-acre JeM compound in Bahawalpur, Punjab, serves as the operational headquarters of the outfit. Heavily fortified and fully functional since 2015, the complex is home to over 600 cadres and features advanced training infrastructure, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, archery range and even a horse-riding facility. Maulana Masood Azhar, JeM’s founder and a UN-designated global terrorist, addressed recruits here as recently as November 2024, ANI reported.
Led in practice by Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Azhar’s brother, the Markaz was instrumental in planning the 2019 Pulwama attack. The report further said that JeM operatives from Afghanistan and handlers of fidayeen missions meet here to plan cross-border strikes, with funding traced to sources in the Gulf, Africa and the UK.
2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke (Punjab, Pakistan)
Located near Lahore, this large complex has been the headquarters of LeT since 2000. The Markaz includes religious schools, agricultural plots, a fish farm and residential quarters and is widely recognised as a breeding ground for radicalisation. Notably, 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab was trained here, the ANI report stated.
Despite global sanctions, LeT continues its activities at the site, which has facilities for training male and female cadres. The compound also hosts high-level strategy meetings and leadership training under the guidance of senior LeT figures, with Osama Bin Laden reportedly having funded parts of its construction.
3. Sarjal/Tehra Kalan Facility, Shakargarh (Narowal, Punjab)
Just 6 km from the international border near Jammu, this JeM outpost is a launchpad for infiltration into India. Strategically located beside a health center to mask its true intent, the facility supports operations by JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen. As per the ANI report, encrypted communications, tunnel networks into Jammu’s Arnia sector and drone deployment capabilities are all part of its infrastructure.
Frequented by senior operatives including Mohammad Adnan Ali and Kashif Jan, the site has also hosted para-glider training for Khalistani elements under ISI supervision, it further reported. The handlers of the 2016 Pathankot attack, including Shahid Latif, operated from this facility, which remains crucial to JeM’s infiltration efforts into Jammu and Kashmir.