In a bold response to the recent deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched 24 precision cruise missile strikes across nine strategic terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on Monday. The military operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’, specifically targeted locations linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) – groups responsible for cross-border terrorism.
The strikes follow the Pahalgam terror incident in April, where 26 innocent tourists lost their lives. The attackers were found to have links across the Line of Control (LoC).
Targeted Locations: Strategic Terror Hubs
The Indian strikes hit key centres known to be operational bases for terror recruitment, training, and infiltration. These locations include:
Muzaffarabad
Kotli
Bahawalpur
Rawalakot
Chakswari
Bhimber
Neelum Valley
Jhelum
Chakwal
Let’s explore each of these terror targets and the role they played in cross-border terrorism.
1. Markaz Subhan Allah – Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Location: Near Karachi Mor, Bahawalpur on National Highway-5
Area Covered: Around 15 acres
Role: JeM’s main headquarters for terrorist indoctrination and training
Key Individuals: Houses of Masood Azhar (JeM chief), Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar
Historical Link: Planners and perpetrators of the 2019 Pulwama attack trained here
Training: Regular weapons, physical, and religious radicalisation sessions
2. Markaz Taiba – Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Muridke, Pakistan
Location: Nangal Sahdan, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Punjab
Established: 2000
Area Covered: 82 acres including schools, farms, and residences
Function: Major recruitment and indoctrination hub; enrols 1,000 students annually
Historical Link: Linked to 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorists including Ajmal Kasab
Funding: Osama bin Laden reportedly contributed Rs 10 million to build part of the centre
3. Tehra Kalan (Sarjal) Facility – Jaish-e-Mohammad, Shakargarh, Pakistan
Location: Sarjal area in Narowal district, Punjab
Used As: A front operation in a government primary health centre
Purpose: Launchpad for infiltration into India’s Samba sector via underground tunnels
Tactics: Drone drops of weapons and narcotics across the border
Proximity: Just 6 km from the International Border
4. Mehmoona Joya Facility – Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Sialkot, Pakistan
Location: Near Kotli Bhutta Government Hospital, Head Marala, Sialkot
Main Use: HM’s infiltration and arms smuggling hub for Jammu region
Notorious Operatives: Irfan Tanda (1995 Jammu stadium bombing), Abu Lala, Maaz Bhai
Sheltering Strategy: Disguised within government buildings to avoid detection
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala – Lashkar-e-Taiba, Bhimber, PoJK
Location: Outskirts of Barnala town in PoJK
Function: LeT staging area for infiltration into Rajouri-Poonch-Reasi sectors
Capacity: 100-150 terrorists at a time
Key Terrorists: Qasim Gujjar, Khubaib, Anas Jarar – all linked to deadly civilian attacks
Supported Activities: Coordinated visits by LeT, JuD, and JK United Movement leaders
6. Markaz Abbas – Jaish-e-Mohammad, Kotli, PoJK
Location: Mohalla Roli Dhara, Bypass Road, Kotli
Capacity: 100-125 terrorists
Key Leader: Qari Zarrar, involved in the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack
Connections: Supplies arms from Sialkot; coordinates terror financing via Afghan links
Notable Members: Qari Maaz, Mohammad Maviya Khan, Tahir Nazir, Abu Bakr
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid – Hizbul Mujahideen, Kotli, PoJK
Location: 2.5 km from Mahuli Puli bridge, nestled in hilly terrain
Secrecy: Hidden in forests with dedicated power supply
Specialisation: Training for Border Action Teams (BAT), sniping, survival tactics
Supervised By: Abu Maaz, Abdul Rehman
Former Visits: HM Chief Syed Salahuddin personally welcomed new recruits
8. Shawai Nallah Camp – Lashkar-e-Taiba, Muzaffarabad, PoJK
Location: Near Chelabandi Bridge on Muzaffarabad–Neelum Road
Facilities: Firing range, training grounds, madrassa, 40 rooms
Key Activity: First stage of indoctrination, GPS and map reading, arms training
Historic Role: In operation since early 2000s; aided by Pakistani Army instructors
Alias: Also known as Huzaifa Bin Yemen or Bait-ul-Mujahideen Camp
9. Syedna Bilal Markaz – Jaish-e-Mohammad, Muzaffarabad, PoJK
Location: Opposite Red Fort in Muzaffarabad
Structure: Includes mosque, medical centre, Al-Rehmat Trust office
Use: Transit camp for launching terrorists into Kashmir
Headed By: Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, close aide of Masood Azhar
Trained Operatives: Indian fugitive Aashiq Nengroo, Abdullah Kashmiri
Evidence: Training by Pakistan’s Special Forces confirmed via seized mobile photos
India’s Strategic Message
The precision strikes showcase India’s intelligence-driven response and serve as a strong warning against state-backed terrorism. Defence analysts suggest this marks a shift in India’s counterterrorism policy, with a focus on pre-emptive actions rather than defensive measures.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment in the Fight Against Terrorism
Operation Sindoor sends a clear signal to terror groups and their supporters: India will strike back decisively against cross-border threats. Each of the nine locations hit today had long histories of aiding terrorism and fuelling unrest in the region.
These strikes are not just retaliatory — they are strategic actions aimed at dismantling terror ecosystems thriving in the shadows.
Sources
Indian Defence Ministry Briefings
Intelligence Inputs (as cited in official reports)
Open-source satellite verification and counter-terrorism research