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News18
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
India's 24-Minute Blitzkrieg Targeted Camps Osama Bin Laden Built, Trained Ajmal Kasab
Last Updated: In 24 minutes, India struck nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir frequented by Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. Operation Sindoor began in the early hours of Wednesday with a swift and synchronised series of missile strikes targeting key terror hubs deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Within a tightly coordinated 24-minute window, Indian forces neutralised nine high-value sites linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and dealt a decisive blow, crippling the operational infrastructure of both groups. The first strike took place at 1:04 am at the Abbas Terrorist Camp in Kotli, believed to be a nerve centre for training Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives. This location served as a vital hub, hosting over 50 active operatives undergoing advanced fidayeen-level preparation. The attack was calibrated to ensure key infrastructure was destroyed, leaving no scope for reactivation in the near term. The site, known as Markaz Saidna Hazrat Abbas Bin Abdul Mutalib or Markaz Abbas, lies very close to Kotli Military Camp in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It is headed by JeM founding member and terrorist Qari Zarrar. Between 1:06 am and 1:10 am, the Indian military launched multiple rounds at the Lashkar-e-Taiba's largest camp in Muridke, widely regarded as the group's central headquarters. This facility was responsible not only for large-scale training but also for strategic command functions. The strike is said to have caused extensive damage, with sources indicating a 'complete destruction" of the main compound and adjacent training blocks. Markaz Taiba, established in 2000 in Nangal Sahdan, Muridke (Punjab, Pakistan), is Lashkar-e-Taiba's main training hub. Spread over 82 acres, the complex includes a madrassa, residential zones for terrorists, a market, sports grounds, a fish farm and agricultural land. It serves as a centre for arms training, physical drills, and radicalisation programmes for recruits from Pakistan and abroad. The Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke is not only the primary training ground for Lashkar-e-Taiba but also holds deep historical and operational significance. In 2000, Osama Bin Laden funded Rs 10 million for constructing a mosque and guest house within the premises. The site later became instrumental in planning the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Under Pakistan's ISI's guidance, all perpetrators of the attack, including Ajmal Kasab, received intelligence training or Daura-e-Ribbat here. The facility also hosted key conspirators David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who visited along with Abdul Rehman Sayed alias Pasha, Haroon, and Khurram, as directed by LeT operations chief Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. The Markaz houses several top LeT ideologues such as Amir Hamza, Abdul Rehman Abid, and Zafar Iqbal, while commanders like Khubaib, Isa, and Qasim are known to frequent the site. Notably, Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi also maintain residences within the compound, making it a central node in LeT's terror infrastructure. At 1:12 am, missiles hit Jaish-e-Mohammed's headquarters in Bahawalpur, the operational heart of the group once founded by Masood Azhar. Known for planning and executing high-casualty attacks, including suicide bombings and cross-border incursions, the Bahawalpur facility was a high-priority target. The headquarters, named Markaz Subhan Allah, located along the Karachi-Torkham Highway on the outskirts of Bahawalpur at Karachi Mor in Punjab, Pakistan, is the principal training and indoctrination centre of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Spread over 15 acres, this facility functions as JeM's operational headquarters and has been directly linked to major terror attacks, including the Pulwama bombing on February 14, 2019. The perpetrators of that attack were trained at this very camp. In addition to its role in militant training, the Markaz also houses the top leadership of JeM. Residences within the complex belong to JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar, his brother and de facto chief Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, as well as Maulana Ammar and other close family members. The site remains a hub for both strategic planning and radicalisation efforts by JeM. This strike was aimed at disrupting JeM's command-and-control setup in southern Punjab. Next, at 1:15 am, the focus shifted to Sialkot, where a major terror logistics and training camp of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was targeted. This location, close to the LoC, served as a forward base to support infiltration attempts into Jammu and Kashmir. It also functioned as a distribution centre for weapons and supplies meant for sleeper cells operating in the Valley. The facility is run by Irfan Tanda, involved in multiple attacks in Jammu region, especially in the capital city of Jammu, particularly a series of blasts carried out on Republic Day of 1995 at the Maulana Azad Stadium of Jammu which killed 8 and injured 50. The then-Governor KV Krishna Rao narrowly escaped the attack. At 1:17 am, Indian missiles struck the Shawai Nallah camp in Muzaffarabad, an important hub for militant arms storage and operational briefing. Located deep in PoK, this camp has long been associated with LeT movements and served as a launchpad for infiltration into North Kashmir. The targeted strike reportedly neutralised several weapon caches and training barracks. LeT head Hafiz Saeed used to welcome new inductees to this camp on their arrival and there has been a resurgence of activity at the camp since 2023 and construction works have been going on to increase the capacity of this camp to accommodate more LeT cadres. Shawai Nallah camp was also used to train 26/11 perpetrator Ajmal Kasab. Just two minutes later, at 1:19 am, Markaz Ahle Hadith camp in Bhimber came under fire. This camp was primarily used for recruiting and training fresh cadres, with many of whom were funnelled directly to the LoC for border crossings. Intelligence had suggested ongoing training of fidayeen squads at the site, making it a high-value target. By 1:22 am, the Indian military struck Chak Amru, a relatively smaller but strategically vital camp used for final tactical briefings ahead of infiltration. Often used to house terrorists for a few days before movement across the border, the camp's destruction has reportedly interrupted multiple infiltration modules. At 1:25 am, a terror camp in Gulpur was hit. This facility functioned as a storage and training centre for both LeT and JeM operatives, especially for operatives trained in IED handling and sabotage. It also served as a resting point for militants before deployment closer to the LoC. Finally, at 1:28 am, a second round of strikes hit a secondary LeT camp within Muridke. This auxiliary camp, though less prominent than the headquarters, served a crucial role in LeT's auxiliary operations, including communications and logistics. Other strategic strikes were also carried out against key facilities such as the Sarjal/Tehra Kalan site in Punjab (used by JeM), the Maskar Rahil Shahid camp in PoK (linked to Hizbul Mujahideen), and the Syedna Bilal Markaz in Muzaffarabad (another JeM hub). Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ajmal kasab Operation Sindoor Osama bin Laden Pahalgam attack Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 07, 2025, 21:01 IST News india India's 24-Minute Blitzkrieg Targeted Camps Osama Bin Laden Built, Trained Ajmal Kasab
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
9 Pak terror camps flattened in 25 minutes: How India hit back after Pahalgam attack
In a swift and precise military offensive which lasted for about 25 minutes, India, early on Wednesday, struck nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was a direct and calculated response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.(Hindustan Times) Named Operation Sindoor, the high-intensity strikes occurred between 1.05 am and 1.30 am on May 7, as a synchronised action by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Operation Sindoor LIVE: India says strikes didn't hit civilians; Pak shelling kills 15 in J&K As reiterated by the Indian government and the Armed Forces, these strikes were a direct and calculated response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead and dozens injured. Timeline and targets of Operation Sindoor | Full details Sawai Nala Camp, Muzaffarabad Located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Sawai Nala Camp was located 30 Km from on Line of Control in the Tangdhar Sector. It was a key training facility of Lashkar-e-Taiba. It was destroyed between 1.05 am to 1.30 am. According to the Indian Army, the attack on civilians and Security Forces in Sonmarg and Gulmarg on October 20, 2024 and the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, were carried out by the terror module, which had its germination at Sawai Nala. Syedna Belal Camp, Muzaffarabad Located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Syedena Belal Camp was a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp, which was being used as a staging area. First visuals of Operation Sindoor: Watch Indian forces destroy terror camps in Pak This camp was used to train terrorists in weapons, explosives and jungle cum survival techniques for carrying out terrorist activities across Line of Control in Kashmir region, the Armed Forces said. Gulpur Camp, Kotli Located 30 kilometres from the Line of Control, Gulpur camp was the base for LeT terrorists operating in Rajauri-Poonch. Attacks in Poonch on 20 April 2023, and an attack on innocent pilgrims travelling in a bus on 09 June 24 were conducted by terrorists trained in Gulpur. According to the Indian Army, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the 26/11 master mind, frequently visited this camp for indoctrination and motivational speeches. Abbas Camp, Kotli Located about 13 kilometres from the Line of Control opposite Rajauri, it was known as the nerve centre for the training of suicide bombers of LeT. This camp had key terrorist training infrastructure for about 50 terrorists. The Indian Armed Forces targeted this terror facility at 1:04 am. Barnala Camp, Bhimber The Barnala camp was located 9 km from the Line of Control opposite Rajauri-Poonch Sector. This terror facility was used for providing training to terrorists in weapon handling, IED making and jungle survival techniques. Sarjal camp in Pakistan's Sailkot The Sarjal camp, which is located about six kilometres from the International border opposite Samba-Kathua, was destroyed under Operation Sindoor on Wednesday. The terrorists who killed four personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in March 2025 were trained and launched from this camp. Mehmoona Joya Camp in Pakistan's Sialkot This camp was located around 12 Km from the International Boundary, near Sialkot and was a key training facility of the Hizbul Mujahideen. As per the Indian Army, this camp was being used as the control centre for the revival of terrorism in the Kathua and Jammu region. Major terrorist attacks, including the attack on Pathankot Air Force Base, were planned and directed from this camp. Markaz Taiba, Muridke One of the key terror camps destroyed in today's military strike, Markaz Taiba, was the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba led by Hafiz Syed. Located around 25 kilometres from the International Boundary, several terrorists, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks accused Azmal Kasab, were trained here. As per the inputs, it was revealed that the Mumbai terror attacks mastermind, David Coleman Headley, also received training at this camp. Markaz Subhan, Bahawalpur Located around 100 Km from the international border, Markaz Suban was the headquarters of Jaishe-Muhammad. This camp was used for the recruitment, training and indoctrination of Jaish terrorists. The facility was frequently visited by the terrorist commanders, including Masood Azhar, who issued directions to their cadre from this camp. The UN-designated terrorist later claimed that 10 people from his family were killed in today's strike.
