Operation Sindoor: India Strikes 9 Terror Camps in Pakistan, PoK — Key Highlights

NEW DELHI: In a significant counter-terror operation, India’s Ministry of Defence announced early Wednesday that the armed forces had carried out precision strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The action was in retaliation for the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national. Here’s what we know so far:

India’s Official Statement

• At 1:44 AM, the defence ministry confirmed the launch of “Operation Sindoor”, targeting terrorist infrastructure actively involved in planning attacks against India.
• Nine specific sites were struck in a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” operation. No details about the exact targets were disclosed.
• The strikes avoided Pakistani military installations, with India stressing its restraint in both target selection and execution.
• The ministry termed the operation a direct response to the “barbaric” Pahalgam attack, vowing accountability for those responsible.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted a patriotic message at 2:46 AM, declaring “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
• Following the operation, the Indian Army reported fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the Bhimber Gali area of Poonch-Rajauri, adding that Indian forces were responding in a “calibrated” manner.

Pakistan’s Response

• Pakistan’s military spokesperson, through state-run PTV, claimed India struck three locations — Bahawalpur (Punjab), Kotli, and Muzaffarabad (PoK) — via air strikes, while asserting that all Pakistani Air Force planes were airborne.
• PTV reported that India launched attacks from its own airspace, and warned that Pakistan would respond “at a time and place of its choosing.”
• Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Pakistani military’s chief spokesman, alleged that missiles were fired at the three locations, reiterating that India did not breach Pakistani airspace.