Inside Operation Sindoor: Army Veteran Explains How India's Precision Strike Hit Jaish HQ In Pakistan's Bahawalpur
Codenamed Operation Sindoor, the mission unfolded with efficiency. Among the nine targets India hit that night, Bahawalpur was the farthest and perhaps the most fortified. What followed was a carefully calibrated assault that reportedly killed or wounded multiple militants, including family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar.
'The Legacy of Terrorism Overshadows Culture'
Major Manik M Jolly, a decorated Gorkha veteran, academician and author, detailed the strike in his ongoing B.I.R.D. thread series on X (formerly Twitter).
In a tweet that captured the contrast of Bahawalpur's history and its militarisation, he wrote, 'Bahawalpur, home to cultural and architectural legacy, has seen the legacy been overshadowed after Jaish-e-Mohammad's headquarters were established around 2000s with the help of the Pakistan Army. The region now suffers from the legacy of terrorism and state militarisation.'
For India, the strike was a strategic signal and an operational success.
Precision With Purpose
Major Jolly wrote that Precision Strike Weapon Systems (PSWS) and BrahMos missiles were used in the strike. The goal was to cripple the JeM infrastructure while ensuring zero civilian casualties. Reviewed later, satellite imagery showed complete destruction of the terror training facilities in Bahawalpur.
'Targets were hit around 1 AM IST, with precision ammo. As soon as these attacks started, PAF and Air Defence got activated, but could not do anything to thwart the attack. The decision on timing, location and style of attack was always fully with India,' he posted.
The emphasis on timing and control underlined the depth of planning behind the operation. By launching the strike under cover of night, Indian forces achieved maximum tactical surprise. Pakistan's air defence systems reacted but failed to intercept or respond effectively, according to Jolly's account.
Collateral Damage to Terror Infrastructure
The fallout was severe for the JeM. Apart from operational casualties, the strike reportedly targeted and damaged the living quarters and training zones of the group. Among those injured or killed were individuals close to Masood Azhar, including some of his family members.
Pakistan's response, according to Major Jolly, came not through denials but admissions.
'The Pakistani Army showed its support to Jaish-e-Mohammad organisation by sending top Pakistani officials to offer their prayers and condolences after the Bahawalpur strike was successful,' he wrote.
The Pakistani military's post-strike gestures pointed to the enduring links between Islamabad's security establishment and the terror groups it is often accused of nurturing.
'India Chose Timing, Location and Style of Attack'
For India, Operation Sindoor was more than a tactical victory. It was a demonstration of strategic reach and political will. The Indian side retained full control over every parameter, from mission planning to the moment of strike.
Major Manik M Jolly summed up the operation's impact, 'The impact and damage has set the terrorist organisation back massively. The strike on Bahawalpur proved to be successful in various ways, proving the capabilities of the Indian defence systems and their stand against terrorism.'
While official remain tight-lipped on operational details, voices like Jolly's, with their background in military intelligence and boots-on-ground realism, offer a rare window into how modern warfare is evolving.
B.I.R.D. Thread series #OpSindoor -Targets Bahawalpur
On May 7, India hit #Bahawalpur in a precision strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad's HQ-the farthest of 9 targets. A key ops hub with training, indoctrination, and living facilities. Here's what took place: @BIRDInitiative1 pic.twitter.com/Vfo3cZVhuE — Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) July 31, 2025
Bahawalpur, home to cultural and architectural legacy has seen the legacy been overshadowed after Jaish-e-Mohammad's headquarters were established around 2000s with the help of the Pakistan army, the region now suffers from the legacy of terrorism and state militarization. pic.twitter.com/3rPiWxQyAn — Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) July 31, 2025
The Indian military used the Precision Strike Weapon System (PSWS) and BrahMos missiles to destroy JeM infrastructure in Bahawalpur, avoiding civilian harm. High-resolution satellite imagery confirmed the complete elimination of the terrorist training facility. pic.twitter.com/7yzt5iNx8J — Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) July 31, 2025
Targets were hit around 1 AM IST, with precision ammo. As soon as these attacks started, PAF and Air Defence got activated, and yet couldn't do anything to thwart the attack. The decision on timing, location and style of attack was always fully with India. pic.twitter.com/D9JHuE51Rs — Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) July 31, 2025
The strikes killed or injured several terrorists and even family members of Masood Azhar. The Pakistani Army showed its support to Jaish e Mohammad organisation by sending top Pakistani officials to offer their prayers and condolences after the Bahawalpur strike was successful. pic.twitter.com/BA9DIxdcIO — Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) July 31, 2025
A Storm That Spoke Loud
Once known for its sandstone mosques and pre-independence palaces, Bahawalpur now lies in news for another reason. In addition to neutralising a terror hub, India's strike did so without crossing a single civilian line, with precision that defied Pakistan's response machinery.
And in that quiet, early morning strike, India made something clear that it knows how to hit where it hurts and when it counts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
21 minutes ago
- India Today
UP anti-terrorist squad arrests two for plotting anti-India conspiracy
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two suspects, identified as Usama Maj Sheikh and Ajmal Ali, for being involved in a plan against India and for trying to create religious arrests exposed an alleged plan to spread communal hatred, promote Sharia law and brainwash youth, which both suspects were allegedly doing. During the investigation, the ATS found that a WhatsApp group named "Reviving Islam" had about 400 members from Pakistan, including three administrators. advertisement One mobile number linked to the group was found to be from Uttar Pradesh. The number was traced to Ajmal Ali, a resident of Amroha near Moradabad, who was using social media to spread certain messages. During questioning, Ajmal confessed he was in contact with several persons from Pakistan. He also said he considered Dr. Usama Maj Sheikh, a resident of Maharashtra, as his told the ATS that he and Dr. Usama were connected through Instagram and the Signal app, where they discussed plans to remove the government in India and implement Sharia was arrested in Lucknow on August 1 and Dr. Usama was arrested from Maharashtra's Badlapur on August to the ATS, both accused were in contact with individuals in Pakistan and were planning to promote violent jihad and Ghazwa-e-Hind through social ATS also said the two men were trying to influence other Muslim youths to act against non-Muslims and take part in activities against India.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Uttar Pradesh
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Govt. tables private school fee regulation Bill amid protest by AAP legislators
Education Minister Ashish Sood on Monday tabled the Delhi School Education (Fee Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating fee hikes in private schools, in the Assembly on the first day of the Monsoon Session. The Bill was tabled amid a protest by the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which termed it a 'blueprint for loot'. Speaker Vijender Gupta said detailed discussions will take place on Tuesday. The government had approved the Bill in April amid a stir by parents over the 'arbitrary' fee hikes by private schools in the national capital. Explaining the modalities, the Minister said, 'The Bill will apply to all private unaided recognised schools in Delhi – irrespective of board, land status or minority status. Every school will have to submit its proposed fee structure for the next three academic years. Fees can be revised only once every three years, which will give financial stability to parents, and they will be well informed.' Mr. Sood said strict penalties ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh will be imposed for violations of the Bill, and a fine of ₹50,000 for any coercive action on students for non-payment of fees. Alleging that the previous governments entered into 'under-the-table' settlements with private school managements and did not act against 'violations' under the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, Mr. Sood added, 'This issue is not a recent problem, but one that has been troubling parents in Delhi for the past several decades. But now we are taking decisive steps to solve it so that education is not just within the reach of a select few, but accessible to every child.' Barbs exchanged Leader of the Opposition Atishi claimed that 'no public consultations took place' while framing the Bill. In response, Mr. Sood said, 'We have consulted everyone we had to.' Ms. Atishi added that the Bill should be sent to a Select Committee and directions must be issued to reverse all fee hikes during the previous 2024-25 academic session. Earlier in the day, she claimed there is no provision in the Bill for audits and 'it empowers schools, not parents'. Operation Sindoor The Assembly also held a discussion on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. BJP legislator Shikha Roy said the retaliatory strikes by India should be incorporated in the school education syllabus. 'I request my government to make this [Operation Sindoor] a part of the syllabus for Delhi students as soon as possible,' she said. The discussion on the strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces saw AAP's Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha hit out at the BJP-ruled government at the Centre, prompting the Speaker to order the Opposition MLA to be marshalled out of the House for using 'derogatory language against the Prime Minister'. The Speaker also directed that the words used by the MLA be expunged from the proceedings.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Article 370 abrogation: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to hand over jobs to families of 250 terror victims
. SRINAGAR: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will distribute appointment letters to the family members of 250 terror victims on Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. These families, from across north, central, and south Kashmir , are those whose relatives were killed by various terrorist outfits operating in the valley, officials said. Since the rise of terrorism in the valley three decades ago, they have endured tremendous hardships, losing family members in violent acts carried out by outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Many of the victims were civilians and primary breadwinners for their families. 'Their death not only caused deep emotional trauma, but also pushed their families to economic hardship and social isolation,' officials said.
