NEW DELHI: In a significant military operation, the Indian Armed Forces executed precision strikes against the headquarters of the banned terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan early on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This operation, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor', targeted nine sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including the strongholds of these notorious organizations.
Bahawalpur, a city in Punjab, has long been recognized as a stronghold for JeM, particularly following the release of its founder, Masood Azhar, in 1999. The city became notorious after Azhar was freed in exchange for hostages during the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814. Since then, JeM has been implicated in numerous major attacks against India, including the 2000 Jammu and Kashmir assembly strike, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that claimed the lives of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel.
Masood Azhar, who is designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, has remained largely out of the public eye since April 2019. He founded JeM in January 2000 with support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), senior Taliban leaders, and even Osama bin Laden. Meanwhile, Muridke, located just 30 kilometers from Lahore, has served as the operational base for LeT since 1990 under the leadership of Hafiz Saeed, who is also linked to the infamous 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
According to official statements from the Indian government, the strikes were a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, most of whom were Indian tourists. The operation was described as a "focused, measured and non-escalatory" response, emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted," the government stated, highlighting India's restraint in the selection of targets.
Operation Sindoor was a collaborative effort involving all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This marked the first joint operation of its kind since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The strikes, which began at 1:44 AM local time, specifically targeted the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur and the LeT's base in Muridke.
The choice of Bahawalpur has raised eyebrows, as it is not only the hometown of Masood Azhar but also a known bastion for Hafiz Saeed. The area is home to a sprawling 200-acre complex that houses a terror training camp and various infrastructure linked to these terrorist organizations. The Indian Armed Forces have made it clear that they will not limit their responses to merely cross-border strikes but will also target deeper into Pakistani territory if necessary.
In a statement, the Indian defense ministry underscored the importance of holding perpetrators accountable while avoiding unnecessary provocation. “This operation underscores India's resolve to hold perpetrators accountable while avoiding unnecessary provocation,” the ministry stated, reinforcing the notion that India expects Pakistan to take action against terrorist groups following the Pahalgam attacks, rather than indulging in denial.
As tensions escalate, Pakistan has responded by asserting its right to retaliate and has already violated the ceasefire agreement by firing artillery in the Bhimber Gali area of Poonch-Rajouri. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army reported on May 6 that the Indian Army was responding appropriately to these provocations.
While the situation remains fluid, the Indian government’s decisive action through Operation Sindoor signals a significant shift in its military strategy toward terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The precision strikes not only aim to dismantle the operational capabilities of these terrorist organizations but also serve as a warning against future attacks.
In summary, the recent military action reflects India's long-standing commitment to counter-terrorism and its determination to protect its citizens from the threats posed by these militant groups. As the situation develops, both nations remain on high alert, with the international community watching closely to see how this new chapter in Indo-Pak relations unfolds.
