India launches Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalagam terror attack

The Indian Armed Forces have launched an airstrike code-named ‘Operation Sindoor’ on the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). It was a joint operation of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Navy and was monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The strike, which was conducted on the night of May 6-7, 2025, was in retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22 April 2025, in which terrorists killed 26 tourists. The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack. The Resistance Front is believed to be the front of the proscribed Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was involved in the Mumbai terrorist attack of 2008.

Colonel Sofia Qureshi & Wing Commander Vyomkia Singh

The government of India organised an official media meeting to provide details of the strike carried out by the armed forces under Operation Sindoor.

• The details of the attack were provided by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
• Colonel Sofia Qureshi from the Army’s Corps of Signals gave the details in Hindi.  
• Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, an Indian Air Force helicopter pilot, described the operation in English.

Use of Rafale fighter jets and ammunition 

The Indian Air Force used its Rafale fighter jets to target nine targets of a terrorist camp in Pakistan and POJK. The Indian aircraft did not cross the border and fired the SCALP cruise missile, HAMMER Bombs and loitering munitions.

SCALP or Storm Shadow missile

• MBDA, a multinational European Group, has developed the SCALP or Storm Shadow missile. This deep-strike weapon has a range of 250-400 km.
• It is air-launched and designed to target high-value fixed or stationary targets such as hardened bunkers and key infrastructure.

HAMER  (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range)

• The SAFRAN company of France has developed the HAMER smart bomb. 
• It is an all-weather air-to-ground weapon. It has been designed for deep strike to destroy hardened bunkers. . 

Loitering Munitions

• The loitering munitions are also known as kamikaze drones or suicide drones. 
• They were used for surveillance, target acquisition, and terminal strike roles. 

Targets hit under Operation Sindoor 

The Indian Air Force Rafale jets hit 4 terrorist targets in Pakistani Punjab and five targets in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). 

These targets belong to three terrorist groups - Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Jaish-e-Mohammad Targets 

Markaz Subhan Allah Mosque

• It is located in Bahawalpur, Pakistani Punjab. It is the central command centre of the Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammed. 
• The group has been involved in the 2001 Parliament attack and the Pulwama bombing in 2019, which killed  40 CRPF Personnel.

Sarjal, Tehra Kalan

• It is situated close to the line of control in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is a terrorist launchpad used to infiltrate terrorists into India.

Markaz Abbas, Kotli 

• It is located in Muzaffarabad, the capital of POJK. It is also a terror launch pad.

Syedna Bilal Camp

• It is located in Muzaffarabad and is the main centre of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in PoJK. 

Lashkar-e-Taiba Targets

Markaz Taiba, Muridke

• It is located in Sheikhupura, Punjab, in Pakistan. It is the main training centre of the  Lashkar-e-Taiba and its front organisation, Jamaat-ud-Dawa.
• The  Jamaat-ud-Dawa is led by Hafiz Saeed, who has been designated a terrorist by the American government and has put a bounty of $10 million. He is the most wanted man in India.

Markaz Ahle Hadith

• It is located in Barnala in POJK, which is used as a terror launchpad to infiltrate into the Poonch–Rajouri–Reasi sector.

Shawai Nalla Camp

• It is also located in Muzaffarabad and is a training ground for terrorists. It was the first terrorist camp to be hit under Operation Sindoor.

Hizbul Mujahideen Targets

Mehmoona Joya

• It is located in the Sialkot district in Pakistani Punjab. It is also a training camp used for infiltration in Jammu. Syed Salahuddin is the leader of the banned terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen.

Maskar Raheel Shahid

• It is located in Kotli, POJK. It is the oldest training centre of the Hizbul Mujahideen. 

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