India Launches Operation Sindoor Against Terrorist Infrastructure

New Delhi: In the early hours of Wednesday, India initiated a military operation aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructures within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied territories. Codenamed Operation Sindoor, this effort saw the mobilization of air, navy, and ground forces. It’s noteworthy that this is the most extensive cross-border precision strike India has conducted since Operation Barakot in 2019.

This action was prompted by the terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahargam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including Indian naval personnel and citizens from Nepal. The assailants were associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group believed to be supported logistically and financially by the Pakistani government.

Weapons Employed in Operation Sindoor

For Operation Sindoor, India deployed several advanced long-range strike weapons. Notable among these were Scalp cruise missiles, Hammer precision bombs, and resilient ammunition.

Scalp (Storm Shadow): Known for its deep-strike capabilities, the Scalp missile is a long-range air-launched cruise missile with an operational range exceeding 250 km.

Hammer (Very Agile Modular Ammunition Expansion Range): Hammer Smart Bombs have previously been used by both LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) to target hardened infrastructures like fortified bunkers and training centers. These precision-guided munitions can engage targets from a distance of 50-70 km, depending on altitude.

Flexible Bullet: Also referred to as “Kamikaze Drones,” these drones were utilized for surveillance, target acquisition, and terminal strikes. They can autonomously or remotely identify and neutralize threats from above.

Key Targets Hit

During Operation Sindoor, nine specific sites were struck; four in mainland Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Ministry of Defense clarified that military facilities were not targeted. Instead, all chosen sites were verified as operational centers for prohibited terrorist organizations.

Some significant targets included:

• Markaz Suban Allah, Bahawalpur (JEM): Recognized as the operational headquarters for Jaish-e-Mohammed, this site has accommodated high-level executive training sessions.
• Markaz Taiba, Muridke (LeT): A 200-acre compound utilized by Lashkar-e-Taiba for indoctrination and logistics, marking it as a significant target.
• Markaz Abbas, Kotli (JEM): This camp operated as a hub for training suicide bombers and weapon distribution.
• Syedna Bilal and Shawai Nalla Camps, Muzaffarabad (JEM and LeT): Both served as infiltration and training facilities for sleeper cells.
• Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala (LeT): This location supported local logistics.
• Sarjal, Tehra Kalan (JEM): Used as a pre-invasion camp for newly initiated terrorists.
• Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot (HM): A lesser-known training center for Hizbul Mujahideen, despite the group’s decline in Kashmir.