In a powerful show of military precision, India launched coordinated missile strikes early Wednesday morning on nine terror camps situated in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were carried out in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including civilians and security personnel. The Indian missiles targeted key locations such as Bahawalpur and Muridke—both deep inside Pakistani territory—along with Gulpur, Sawai Camp, Kotli, Barnala, Sarjal, Mehmoona, and Bilal Camps in PoK. The operation, launched around 1:44 AM, was aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the groups blamed for the Pahalgam attack.

A significant highlight of the operation was the complete failure of Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence system, which was expected to detect and neutralize incoming threats. Despite its advanced design, modeled after the Russian S-300, the HQ-9 failed to intercept even a single Indian missile, raising serious doubts about its reliability and the broader efficacy of Pakistan’s air defence network. Defence experts suggest either a detection lapse or an operational failure of the system during the strike.

According to Indian defence sources, the mission was planned using days of intelligence and surveillance, and executed with high-precision missiles to ensure minimal collateral damage while delivering maximum impact on terror targets. Following the strikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that India will pursue terrorists and their supporters wherever they may hide, signaling a shift toward a more assertive counterterrorism posture.

In response, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed retaliation, although no official counter-strike has been confirmed as yet. The failure to defend against India’s offensive has placed Islamabad in a diplomatically and strategically difficult position, both at home and abroad.

India has since heightened security across 244 districts, implementing civil defence exercises in anticipation of any escalation. While the Indian public has largely supported the strikes as a justified response to cross-border terrorism, the global community has urged both nations to exercise caution and avoid further confrontation. However, the exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s defence and India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor have significantly altered the region’s security dynamics, leaving the world watching closely for what comes next.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a public appeal for assistance in its investigation into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, one of the deadliest assaults in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. The attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, in the Baisaran valley, and has been attributed to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

In an official statement, the NIA urged tourists, locals, and anyone present in the area during the attack to share any relevant information, including photographs or videos that could aid the investigation. Two contact numbers have been provided—9654958816 and 01124368800—for individuals to report their observations. A senior official from the agency will coordinate further steps to collect any helpful materials.

The attack, which occurred at three different sites within the valley, was carried out by five armed militants who reportedly targeted non-Muslim visitors. Among the dead were a Christian tourist and a local Muslim, underscoring the indiscriminate brutality of the incident.

Investigators have identified three primary suspects: Adil Hussain Thoker, a resident of Anantnag, and two Pakistani nationals—Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai) and Hashim Musa (alias Suleiman). Notably, Hashim Musa is believed to be a former member of Pakistan’s paramilitary forces who joined LeT after being dismissed from service.

A bounty of ₹6,000,000 (approximately US$80,000) has been announced for credible information leading to the identification, arrest, or neutralization of the suspects, with ₹2,000,000 set for each. Sketches of the accused, described as young men with beards, were released earlier based on survivor accounts.

The incident has triggered national outrage and renewed scrutiny of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Investigative sources allege the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed in orchestrating the attack, reinforcing concerns about continued external support for militant activities in the region. The NIA is also probing the role of local overground workers in facilitating the assault.

This appeal follows recent progress in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, including the extradition of Tahawwur Rana—linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks and LeT—from the United States. Security forces continue intensive search and combing operations across South Kashmir to track down the remaining suspects.

The NIA reiterated that public cooperation is vital for ensuring justice and enhancing national security in the face of ongoing terror threats.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has confirmed that ten members of his family and four close aides were killed in India’s precision airstrikes during Operation Sindoor, according to BBC Urdu. The strikes were launched in the early hours of Tuesday as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, lost their lives.

Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). One of the most significant strikes was carried out at the Subhan Allah camp in Bahawalpur, the stronghold of JeM and Masood Azhar’s hometown. The camp, also known as the Usman-o-Ali campus, served as a key hub for terror recruitment, fundraising, and indoctrination. The strike reportedly flattened the entire complex, including its mosque, the Jamia Masjid.

Among those killed in the Bahawalpur strike were Azhar’s elder sister, her husband, his nephew and his wife, another niece, and five children from his extended family. A close aide of Azhar’s mother and two other key associates were also confirmed dead, BBC Urdu reported. Azhar resides in a fortified compound in Bahawalpur and is considered one of the most wanted terrorists by Indian authorities.

Another critical site struck was the Masjid wa Markaz Taiba in Muridke, another major JeM facility. Reports suggest that around 30 terrorists were killed each in Bahawalpur and Muridke. While official figures are still being verified, sources estimate that between 70 and 80 terrorists were neutralised across all targeted locations.

Bahawalpur, located about 400 km from Lahore, is the 12th largest city in Pakistan and a known base of JeM operations. The visuals obtained by India Today from the Subhan Allah site show collapsed structures, debris, and gaping craters where key buildings once stood.

JeM, founded by Azhar in 2000, has been responsible for several major terror attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. Azhar was released by India in 1999 in exchange for hostages of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, which was hijacked and flown to Kandahar.

The Indian strikes, lasting 25 minutes from 1:05 am to 1:30 am, were described by Indian officials as precise, proportionate, and aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure. No military or civilian installations were targeted.

Meanwhile, retaliatory cross-border firing has led to civilian casualties along the Line of Control and International Border. Reports confirm that 10 civilians have been killed and 33 injured so far. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered the immediate evacuation of vulnerable populations from forward areas, emphasizing that civilian safety remains the government’s top priority.

Operation Sindoor is being widely viewed as a calibrated and forceful response to state-sponsored terrorism emanating from across the border.

In a powerful and precisely executed military operation, India carried out targeted strikes against terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of Wednesday. The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians.

The 25-minute mission took place from 1:05 am to 1:30 am, during which nine identified terror camps were struck with pinpoint accuracy. According to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who jointly addressed the media, each strike was directed at specific buildings based on detailed intelligence. The operation, they said, was conducted to neutralize the terror threat while preventing civilian casualties and avoiding escalation.

Operation Sindoor marked a significant show of India’s advanced precision-strike capabilities, relying on a combination of air-launched and ground-based munitions.

Here is the list of key weapons used in Operation Sindoor:

Scalp Cruise Missiles

The SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général) is a long-range, stand-off air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA. With a range exceeding 500 kilometers, it is capable of penetrating deep into enemy territory and striking high-value, fortified targets with minimal risk to the launching aircraft. The missile uses an inertial navigation system (INS), GPS guidance, and terrain-following radar, ending with a precision terminal infrared homing sensor. Scalp missiles were launched from Rafale fighter jets and used primarily to hit targets farthest from the Line of Control, avoiding detection and interception.

Hammer Smart Weapon System:

The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), developed by the French defence company Safran, is a modular, air-to-ground precision weapon system that converts general-purpose bombs into guided munitions. It includes both a guidance kit—using INS and GPS—and a propulsion unit that gives it a standoff range of up to 60 km. The Hammer system is compatible with Mk82, Mk83, and Mk84 bombs and is effective against stationary and moving targets, even under adverse weather conditions. In Operation Sindoor, these weapons were used against targets closer to the LoC, offering flexibility and high accuracy in complex terrain.

Guided Bomb Kits:

These systems are used to convert conventional unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions by attaching GPS and inertial navigation kits. These kits significantly increase strike accuracy, especially useful when exact target coordinates are available but weather or visibility conditions are poor. India has domestically developed and imported such kits, which allow legacy bombs to be repurposed for modern warfare.

M777 Howitzers with Excalibur Rounds:

The M777 is a lightweight 155 mm howitzer developed by BAE Systems and extensively used by the Indian Army in high-altitude areas. For Operation Sindoor, these guns were equipped with M982 Excalibur rounds—GPS-guided artillery shells capable of striking targets with an accuracy of less than two meters, even over distances of up to 40 km. These precision rounds allow for high-impact strikes with reduced risk to surrounding infrastructure and are effective against enemy bunkers, camps, and concealed positions.

Loitering Munitions:

Loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones or kamikaze drones, are unmanned aerial systems designed to hover over a target area before striking a selected target. These systems combine surveillance and strike capabilities in a single platform and are ideal for time-sensitive or mobile targets. Their use in Operation Sindoor enabled real-time engagement with precision and flexibility, especially in areas where fixed-position strikes may not have been as effective.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that all targets were selected based on credible intelligence inputs linking them directly to the planning and support of cross-border terror activities. She added that the operations were calibrated to avoid civilian infrastructure and non-combatant casualties.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri characterized the strikes as a “measured, non-escalatory, and proportionate” response, aligning with India’s right to self-defence under international law. He reiterated that the intent was not to provoke a broader conflict but to deter further acts of terrorism originating across the border.

Operation Sindoor underlines India’s evolving military doctrine—integrating intelligence, advanced weaponry, and rapid execution—to safeguard its sovereignty with precision, discipline, and strategic restraint.

The Line of Control (LoC) witnessed a sharp escalation on Wednesday after India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military offensive that struck nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation was reportedly conducted in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people, including tourists, dead.

Within hours of the operation, Pakistan initiated intense and unprovoked shelling along the LoC, leading to the death of 15 civilians and injuring at least 43 others. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered immediate evacuation of residents from vulnerable forward areas to safer shelters in Bakars, stating that “civilian safety is India’s top priority.”

India’s targeted strikes hit camps affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The nine key sites attacked include Muridke, Bahawalpur, Gulpur, Sawai, Bilal Camp, Kotli Camp, Barnala Camp, Sarjal Camp, and Mehmoona Camp. Among the dead were reportedly close relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, particularly in the Bahawalpur strike.

The operation involved coordinated action by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, and has been described by officials as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” Indian defence sources have confirmed that all objectives were successfully hit, with no casualties among Indian personnel.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army has responded strongly to Pakistani firing, targeting several enemy posts in the Kupwara and Rajouri-Poonch sectors, reportedly causing significant military losses across the border.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, in a briefing with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized that the strikes were restricted strictly to terrorist infrastructure and avoided civilian, economic, or military assets in Pakistan.

Despite Pakistan’s claim that six sites were hit and eight civilians killed, India has firmly refuted these allegations, reiterating that only known terror hubs were targeted.

As tension simmers along the LoC, the government remains in close coordination with key security agencies and local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the safety and preparedness of border populations.

In response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military strike against cross-border terror infrastructure. With surgical precision and a clear political message, the operation has drawn both domestic support and international scrutiny. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the mission, its execution, and its broader implications.

The immediate catalyst for Operation Sindoor was the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities, including tourists and a Navy officer. The attacker, a Pakistani national, was linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Indian authorities described the operation as both retaliatory and preemptive, citing credible intelligence suggesting more attacks were being planned from Pakistani soil.

The operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, showcasing unprecedented inter-services coordination. It was launched at 1:44 am to minimize civilian casualties. Kamikaze drones, precision-guided munitions, and possibly special forces were deployed to identify and strike nine specific terror infrastructure sites, including training camps and logistics hubs linked to LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Notably, no Pakistani military or civilian facilities were targeted, underscoring India’s intent to avoid escalation.

Army spokesperson Col Sophia Qureshi emphasized the surgical nature of the strikes, stating that they were a message to those who sponsor and harbor terrorism. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri cited actionable intelligence and asserted India’s right to self-defense under international law, while also calling for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for supporting terrorism.

Here is the video regarding the sites stricked by India:

Domestically, several states were placed on high alert, especially those bordering Pakistan, and airspace surveillance was intensified. Public messaging urged calm and unity. Internationally, the UN and China called for restraint, while Pakistan indicated it would not retaliate unless further military actions were undertaken. Western nations supported India’s right to self-defense but urged de-escalation.

Strategically, Operation Sindoor sends a strong deterrent message to terrorist organizations and their sponsors. It has bolstered public confidence in national security and demonstrated India’s evolving counter-terror doctrine that prioritizes precise, proportionate, and legally justified responses.

Operation Sindoor marks a pivotal moment in India’s counter-terrorism strategy. Balancing decisive action with strategic restraint, the operation reflects New Delhi’s resolve to safeguard national security without triggering open conflict. Its careful execution may serve as a model for future responses to asymmetric threats.