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India Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Operation Sindoor: Jaish headquarters, Lashkar camp among 9 targets hit by India
In a calibrated military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces on early Wednesday launched "focused and precise" missile strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The attack, named "Operation Sindoor", targeted infrastructure linked to three major terror outfits: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. One of the most significant targets was the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, located around 100 km from the international border. The town is widely considered the nerve centre of JeM operations and has been under Indian radar since the Pulwama attack in 2019. Another major strike hit Muridke, 30 km from the India-Pakistan border opposite Samba. The location is known for housing a Lashkar-e-Taiba facility directly linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The armed forces also struck deep inside POK. In the Tangdhar sector, missiles hit the Sawai camp — an LeT hub linked to a series of high-profile attacks, including Sonmarg (October 20, 2024), Gulmarg (October 24, 2024), and the recent Pahalgam ambush. Gulpur, 35 km from the Line of Control in the Poonch-Rajauri belt, was also targeted. Intelligence inputs suggest its role in both the April 2023 ambush on Indian soldiers in Poonch and the June 2024 attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims. Highly placed sources told India Today TV that India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), had identified each of the nine targets following extensive surveillance. Based on this intelligence, the military executed the strikes in a meticulously coordinated plan targeting high-value Lashkar and Jaish locations. The Indian action covered a wide geographical span: BAHAWALPUR: 100 Km from International Boundary (JeM Headquarters) 100 Km from International Boundary (JeM Headquarters) MURIDKE: 30 Km from border, opposite Samba (LeT camp linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks) 30 Km from border, opposite Samba (LeT camp linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks) GULPUR: 35 Km from LoC, Poonch-Rajauri (linked to 2023 Poonch attack and 2024 bus attack on pilgrims) 35 Km from LoC, Poonch-Rajauri (linked to 2023 Poonch attack and 2024 bus attack on pilgrims) SAWAI: 30 Km inside Pak-Occupied Kashmir (linked to Sonmarg attack, Gulmarg attack and recent Pahalgam attack) 30 Km inside Pak-Occupied Kashmir (linked to Sonmarg attack, Gulmarg attack and recent Pahalgam attack) BILAL CAMP: JeM launchpad JeM launchpad KOTLI CAMP: 15 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri (LeT bomber camp) 15 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri (LeT bomber camp) BARNALA CAMP: 10 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri 10 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri SARJAL CAMP: 8 Km from IB, opposite Samba-Kathua (JeM camp) 8 Km from IB, opposite Samba-Kathua (JeM camp) MEHMOONA CAMP: 15 Km from IB, near Sialkot (Hizbul Mujahideen training Camp) The military strikes were carried out under Operation Sindoor, the Defence Ministry said in a statement at 1.44 am. It said the actions by the Indian armed forces were "focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature". Sources said that the strikes on all nine targets were successful and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was monitoring Operation Sindoor closely.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Tourists return to Pahalgam, seen taking selfies near attack site less than a week after terror attack
Despite the killing of 26 tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22, visitors were seen returning to the hill town on Saturday. The town, which had remained shut from April 22 until Thursday, welcomed tourists again. Many were seen taking photos and selfies at the popular "selfie point" on the banks of the Lidder river. Tourists said they continued with their holiday plans as there was no ban or restriction on visiting Pahalgam, a TOI report stated. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" Hotels Offer Discounts To Encourage Visitors Several hotels and restaurants have started offering special discounts to attract tourists. Some eating joints are offering a free meal with every meal ordered. Local businesses are making efforts to restore confidence among visitors after the incident. Tourists Share Experiences Of Visiting Pahalgam Joydeep Ghosh Dastidar from Kolkata said, "We came on Friday and found that everything was normal. Although most of the markets and shops were closed, local people and security personnel were very supportive. Except Baisaran meadow , which is out of bounds for visitors, we visited other places." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dog licks arent kisses. Heres what your dog really means when it licks you. Novelodge Undo Mrityunjay Pande, a tourist from Bihar, shared that they had initially cancelled their trip but later decided to visit. "However, when we were told that there are no restrictions on tourists visiting Pahalgam, we could not resist and came Saturday morning. We will return by evening," he said. One family from Kolkata who had visited Pahalgam on April 21, before the attack, returned to the town after visiting Sonmarg and Gulmarg. Mohammad Safiq, a businessman from Kolkata, said, "People here are helpful after that incident; we have not felt any fear. That was an unfortunate tragedy, but we cannot stop coming to such a place just because of that." Live Events Security Presence High As Businesses Remain Closed While tourists have started returning, one major tourist spot that usually sees around 3,000-5,000 visitors daily was mostly empty. Streets were occupied mainly by security personnel and local residents. Most shops, apart from those selling essential items, remained closed on the fifth day after the terror attack.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam terror attack: ‘We went to Kashmir believing that the heaven on Earth is safe'
Shivamogga 'All along the route, there was so much security. But at the valley where we were, there was no security personnel. We had faith in the government. We went there believing that the place was safe, and wanted to see Kashmir, often called heaven on Earth... We three went, but now we are returning with one body in a box,' said a grief-stricken Pallavi R., wife of Manjunath Rao, who was killed in the terror attack at Pahalgam in Baisaran Valley in Kashmir on April 22. On April 24, speaking to mediapersons on her way back to Shivamogga, her native place, with her son Abhijan and the mortal remains of her husband, Ms. Pallavi said, 'He died in no time after he was shot. I could not talk to him. I was just a few feet away when he fell down. He was shot in the neck. I rushed to him and held him in my hands. Within a few seconds, his clothes and my clothes were soaked in blood. I have kept the clothes safe, and will not wash them,' said Ms. Pallavi. The terrorists with weapons, according to Pallavi, fired at her husband from a distance. 'There was a forest-like area a few metres away from the place where we were. My husband was purchasing snacks for my son, who was tired. I saw two people with weapons, and did talk to one of them,' she narrated. In fact, she and her son, outraged over Manjunath Rao's death, told the terrorists to kill them too. 'They refused, but told us to convey this to Narendra Modi,' she recalled. Help from locals The terrorists, according to Pallavi, targeted men among the tourists. 'There was a young couple. They shot the newly-married person at close range. I saw at least 25 dead bodies. Only women and children were spared. We were all screaming for help. There was no phone network in that area,' she said. Two local Muslim men, who were terrified by the incident and were repeatedly saying 'Bismillah', helped them come down from the valley. 'It was tough terrain. We walked for about one hour to reach the hospital. One of them carried my son on his back, and another helped me cross the stretch by holding my hand. I am thankful to them,' Ms. Pallavi said. Started as a dream trip For Abhijan, 18, the 'dream trip' to Kashmir has left him shattered. He told the media that the first three days of the trip to Kashmir were wonderful. The family visited a tulip garden and Mughal Gardens on the first day. On the second day, they took a ride in a shikara (boathouse), and visited Sonmarg and Doodhpathri. They spent the next two days in Pahalgam. 'It was my father's dream to visit Kashmir. We enjoyed a lot on the first three days. The fourth day was tragic. With his death, the place has become a hell for me,' said Abhijan. The family had left for the trip soon after his II PU results were out. He had scored 97% in the commerce stream. When his father was shot dead, Abhijan said he was infuriated. He wanted the terrorist to kill him too. The boy said he would never forgive the people who killed his father, and wants them to go through a similar pain.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
Pahalgam terror attack: People were being killed 10 minutes from where we stood, says Kolhapur survivor
Kolhapur: Ten minutes, that's how long the "memories of a lifetime" lasted for this group of tourists from Kolhapur. Ten minutes is also what saved their lives. Having spent a lovely afternoon in the picturesque Baisaran Valley on Tuesday, Sudhesh Saphale, his relatives and friends were preparing for the next adventure when gun-totting militants unleashed terror on tourists in Pahalgam. "Seventeen of us had travelled to Kashmir. Pahalgam was our third stop. Around 2.30pm, we were just leaving the location when we heard the bullets. People were getting killed just 10 minutes away from where we stood. We rushed with our belongings and frantically started looking for our bus. We stayed in the bus till the evening as there was a total lockdown immediately after the attack," said Saphale, a contractor from Gargoti town in Kolhapur. "We approached the local authorities, and they helped us get back to Srinagar. We then spoke to the Kolhapur collector. Subsequently, a Maharashtra official contacted us. We are now safe," said Saphale on Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo Meanwhile, 48 tourists from Solapur's Madha tehsil, who reached Kashmir on Tuesday, have now decided to return. Sarhad, a Pune-based NGO, is helping them return. "We were planning to visit Pahalgam after Gulmarg and Sonmarg. We faced many difficulties getting here. There was a road cave-in and a heavy traffic jam. That is why we reached Srinagar late on Tuesday. We have now decided to return," said Rahul Petkar, a resident of Madha.
