07-05-2025
Beyond Pahalgam: How Operation Sindoor Avenged Pulwama, Pathankot, Mumbai And More
Lt Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh explained the strategic selection of targets by India to avenge previous attacks. They said that no military or civilian establishment was targeted and that the operation was 'non-escalatory". They said the motive of the operation was degrading terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
Why Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur was attacked
Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur, is the operational headquarter of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), responsible for attacks like the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. It houses JeM's top leadership, including Maulana Masood Azhar and Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar. Funded by Pakistan's ISI and gulf donors, it has facilities for arms training and terrorist recruitment. This strike aimed to disrupt JeM's core leadership and training.
Markaz Taiba, Muridke is the headquarter of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which executed the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The Mumbai attackers like Ajmal Kasab were trained at this facility. Financed by Osama bin Laden, it hosts LeT leaders like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. It radicalises and trains over 1,000 youths annually in guerrilla warfare, intelligence, and explosives. The objective was to dismantle LeT's terror operations and prevent future attacks.
Why Sarjal/Tehra Kalan Facility Was Targeted
This JeM launchpad facilitates infiltrations into Jammu via tunnels and drones. Lt Col Qureshi said this site was targeted as it was linked to the 2016 Pathankot attack.
The facility, approximately 20 km from the Line Of Control (LoC), is used to dig cross-border tunnels, drops weapons via drones, and houses JeM's Afghan operations. The strike aimed to destroy infiltration networks and drone-smuggling hubs.
Why Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialkot, Was Targeted
This facility is a base for planning Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) attacks in Jammu, run by ISI-backed commander Irfan Tanda. It trains terrorists for border raids and weapons smuggling. The operation aimed at degrading HM's operational capacity in Jammu.
Why Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala (PoK) Was Targeted
This facility is known to have trained terrorists and planned the Dhangri (2023) and Reasi (2024) attacks, resulting in 16 civilian deaths. It serves as a staging ground for LeT infiltrations into Poonch-Rajouri and houses over 100 militants. The objective of Operation Sindoor was to disrupt LeT's transit routes and punish attacks on civilians.
Why Markaz Abbas, Kotli (PoK) Was Targeted
This facility has been JeM's arms depot and planning hub for attacks like Nagrota (2016), led by Qari Zarrar. It stores weapons smuggled from Afghanistan and trains snipers. The goal was to eliminate JeM's logistics supply chain.
Why Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli (PoK) Was Targeted
Maskar Raheel Shahid is Hizbul Mujahideen's elite training camp for Border Action Team (BAT) raids, overseen by Syed Salahuddin. It trains militants in sniper tactics and survival skills. India targeted this location to neutralise HM's cross-border raid capabilities.
Why Shawai Nallah Camp, Muzaffarabad (PoK) Was Targeted
LeT's premier training facility, this facility was also instrumental in training the 26/11 attackers. Supported by Pakistan's ISI and Army trainers, it indoctrinates recruits and provides advanced weapons training. The strike aimed to cripple LeT's recruitment pipeline.
Why Syedna Bilal Markaz, Muzaffarabad (PoK) Was Targeted
A transit camp for JeM terrorists infiltrating into Kashmir, this facility is linked to the Nagrota 2016 and Pulwama 2019 attacks. It hosts 50–100 terrorists and provides SSG (Pak Army) training. Tuesday's strike by India aimed to disrupt JeM's infiltration routes and avenge not just Pahalgam, but also Pulwama and several other terror attacks.
