Operation Sindoor: Targets inside Pak explained by Col Sofiya Qureshi & Wing commander Vyomika Singh

In a decisive response to the deadly Pahalgam attack, India on Wednesday carried out missile strikes on terror targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The targeted sites included key strongholds of terrorist organizations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s camp in Muridke, as part of Operation Sindoor.

The military action, which took place two weeks after the tragic attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, was described by Indian officials as measured, non-escalatory, and responsible. The statement was made at a media briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col. Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

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Misri emphasized that the strikes were aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India. "These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible," Misri stated. "They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling those likely to be sent across to India."

Recalling the United Nations Security Council’s statement on the Pahalgam attack, Misri underscored the need to hold accountable those responsible for the attack, including its perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors. He further added, “India's latest action should be seen in this context.”

Addressing the media, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained that the strikes were launched to deliver justice to the victims and families of the Pahalgam attack. “Nine terror sites were targeted and successfully destroyed. The locations were selected to avoid any damage to civilian infrastructures and prevent civilian casualties,” Singh said. The targets included terror camps in Muridke, Sialkot, Barnala, Kotli, and Mehmoona Joya.

Col. Qureshi also presented videos of the destruction of these terror camps, including the infamous Muridke camp where the 2008 Mumbai attacks’ perpetrators, David Headley and Ajmal Kasab, were trained. The operation, Singh stated, was carried out with precision to ensure there was no collateral damage.

The Foreign Secretary further noted that despite the passage of two weeks since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had failed to take any significant action against the terrorist infrastructure on its soil or in areas under its control. "Instead, all Pakistan has done is indulge in denial and allegations," Misri remarked. He pointed out that intelligence monitoring indicated that further attacks were imminent, leading to India’s decision to act.

Misri continued, “Our intelligence indicated that further attacks against India were impending. Thus, there was a compulsion to deter and preempt.”

The attack in Pahalgam, according to Misri, was aimed at undermining the return to normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. He described the attack as “marked with extreme barbarity,” with victims killed at close range, in front of their families, and deliberately traumatised. “The attack was clearly driven by the objective of undermining normalcy returning to Kashmir,” he added.

Indian intelligence agencies had been closely monitoring terrorist activities, with concerns raised over more potential attacks. Misri said, “Earlier this morning, India exercised its right to respond to deter such cross-border terrorism. Our actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and focused on dismantling terrorists' infrastructure.”

The missile strikes are seen as a clear message to Pakistan that India will not tolerate the continued export of terrorism and will act decisively to protect its citizens.