India Strikes 9 Terror Camps- In a decisive counter-terrorism move following the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indian tourists, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror-linked targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). A total of 24 standoff cruise missiles were used to hit facilities run by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), all of which have a long record of cross-border terrorism.
1. Markaz Subhan Allah – JeM, Bahawalpur (Punjab, Pakistan)
Located along National Highway-5 near Bahawalpur, this 15-acre complex is JeM’s main training and operational headquarters. It was linked to the 2019 Pulwama attack and houses key JeM leaders including Maulana Masood Azhar (official head) and Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (de facto chief). The facility offers arms, religious, and physical training for terrorists.
2. Markaz Taiba – LeT, Muridke (Punjab, Pakistan)
This 82-acre LeT base near Sheikhupura was established in 2000 and serves as its primary training ground. It includes madrassas, a market, and residential quarters. Known to have hosted 26/11 attackers, this complex also ran indoctrination programs funded in part by Osama bin Laden. Key figures like David Headley visited this facility.
3. Sarjal/Tehra Kalan Facility – JeM, Shakargarh (Punjab, Pakistan)
Disguised within a public health centre near the International Border in Jammu’s Samba sector, this site is a crucial launchpad for infiltration, tunnel digging, and drone-based arms delivery. Backed by ISI, this camp links directly to multiple cross-border terror incidents.
4. Mehmoona Joya Facility – HM, Sialkot (Punjab, Pakistan)
Located near a hospital in Head Marala, this facility is used for infiltrating HM terrorists into Jammu. Led by Irfan Tanda, who was behind the 1995 Republic Day Stadium blasts in Jammu, the camp trains terrorists in arms handling and facilitates weapons smuggling.
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith – LeT, Barnala (PoJK)
On the outskirts of Barnala town, this facility houses 100–150 LeT operatives and functions as a staging ground for attacks in Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch. Terrorists involved in recent attacks in Dhangri (2023) and Reasi (2024) were linked to this markaz.
6. Markaz Abbas – JeM, Kotli (PoJK)
Located near the Kotli Military Camp, this facility houses 100+ JeM operatives and is run by Qari Zarrar, a founding JeM member wanted for the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack. It stores arms previously held in Sialkot and serves as a key logistics hub for JeM.
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid – HM, Kotli (PoJK)
This old HM base, located off the Mirpur-Kotli Road, offers conventional, sniper, and BAT (Border Action Team) training. It can house 150–200 terrorists and is used to prepare for cross-border action. It was previously supervised by HM chief Syed Salahuddin.
8. Shawai Nallah Camp – LeT, Muzaffarabad (PoJK)
Situated near the Chelabandi Bridge, this long-operational LeT camp offers Daura-e-Aam training that includes religious indoctrination, GPS use, and tactical arms handling. With support from the ISI and Pakistani military, it regularly refreshes training for active cadres.
9. Syedna Bilal Markaz – JeM, Muzaffarabad (PoJK)
Located near the Red Fort in Muzaffarabad, this JeM camp functions as a transit and training hub. It houses 50–100 terrorists and is led by Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, a senior operational commander close to Masood Azhar. Terrorists trained here have been involved in major infiltration attempts, including the 2024 Hiranagar encounter.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor targeted key terror infrastructure deep within Pakistan and PoJK, hitting nine strategic sites used for training, sheltering, and launching terrorists into India. These precision strikes reflect India’s firm and proactive approach to counter-terrorism, showcasing its resolve to act decisively against cross-border threats.
The operation sends a strong message to state-sponsored terror networks and their supporters: any aggression will be met with swift and targeted retaliation. It reinforces India’s commitment to national security and its readiness to defend its sovereignty with strength and precision.
