(Image source from: Outlookbusiness.com)
In just 25 minutes, India launched 24 missiles that successfully hit nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 70 militants. The operation took place between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM on May 7 and was a collaborative effort involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, dubbed Operation Sindoor. During a press conference in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, alongside Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, described the mission as a "measured and proportionate" reaction to the terror attack that occurred on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. That attack, carried out by terror groups based in Pakistan, resulted in 26 fatalities, including the death of one Nepali citizen, and left numerous others wounded.
Colonel Qureshi indicated that this operation represented a strategic change. She emphasized, "For the last thirty years, Pakistan has been developing terror infrastructure, such as recruitment centers, training sites, and launch pads throughout PoJK and Pakistan. This operation aimed to dismantle those facilities and avert future assaults." She added, "Our intelligence suggested that further assaults against India were likely. As a result, it was imperative to both deter and prevent them, leading to India's decision this morning to exercise its right to respond to such cross-border terrorism. Our actions were calculated, non-escalatory, proportional, and responsible, focusing on dismantling the terrorists’ infrastructure," stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The missile strikes targeted installations in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal—locations long suspected by intelligence sources of housing terrorist camps. These sites were believed to be linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), two groups that have been responsible for numerous attacks in India over recent years. Among the nine targeted locations, five were in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir while the remaining four were in mainland Pakistan. Particularly, Bahawalpur has been recognized as a stronghold for JeM. Indian security agencies have previously identified Muzaffarabad and Bhimber as critical transit points for infiltration into Kashmir.
As per a statement from the government, all missile strikes successfully met their targets. Unmanned aerial vehicle reconnaissance verified the destruction of command centers, training facilities, ammunition depots, and staging areas. Although the operation was extensive, no Pakistani military sites were engaged. Over 70 terrorists were reported killed, and more than 60 sustained injuries. The assault utilized a combination of ground-launched and air-launched missiles. Real-time monitoring through surveillance drones allowed for the confirmation of target destruction with minimal civilian impact, according to government officials.
To guarantee precision in targeting and minimize collateral damage, precision-guided munitions including laser-designated missiles and satellite-aided glide bombs were employed. Missiles were fired from air and land platforms in a coordinated manner, with multiple warheads striking simultaneously to neutralize the terrorist camps effectively.
