India Conducts Major Strikes Against Terror Bases in Pakistan

India has launched strikes targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) as a response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. This operation, named “Operation Sindoor,” was executed in the early hours of Wednesday and involved 24 missile strikes on nine different locations.

Indian defense sources confirm that around 70 terrorists were killed during these strikes, which primarily targeted camps linked to the militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. These groups have been responsible for various terrorist activities in India and are known to operate with relative impunity from within Pakistani territory.

The operation aimed not only to retaliate against the Pahalgam attack but also to dismantle the military connections that have fueled cross-border terrorism. The locations targeted in this operation included Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. Each of these areas was identified as a hub for terrorist activities.

According to Indian military officials, this operation represented a new strategic approach to counter-terrorism. They emphasized the precision of the strikes, stating that high-accuracy missiles were used to minimize collateral damage and avoid hitting civilian areas as much as possible. However, reports from Pakistan indicate that at least nine civilians were killed and 38 injured, which has sparked a controversy regarding the operation’s impact on non-combatants.

The Indian government has insisted that all targets were carefully selected based on intelligence that linked them directly to terrorist activities. This included monitoring communications and identifying specific locations associated with the planning of attacks against India.

The swift execution of the strikes, completed in under an hour, showcased India’s military capabilities and their determination to confront terrorism decisively. Defense sources noted that this approach is a marked departure from past operations, which were often limited in scale and scope.

International reactions to the strikes have been mixed. While many global powers urged both nations to practice restraint, India has received support for its right to self-defense. The operation’s success has been viewed as a significant blow to the operational capacities of the targeted terrorist organizations.

Officials from the Indian government have conveyed their regret concerning civilian casualties but have reiterated the necessity of the strikes to combat ongoing terrorist threats. They condemned the strategy employed by terrorist groups, which often involves embedding facilities within civilian populations, complicating efforts to avoid collateral damage.

As the situation continues to evolve, the Indian military remains vigilant, prepared to respond decisively to any future threats.