Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Tuesday in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed by terrorists.
- The operation began at 1:05 AM and lasted 25 minutes.
- It involved precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Targets included infrastructure linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Indian Strikes: Targets and Impact
According to defence sources:
- The strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”.
- Major camps targeted:
- Subhan Allah Camp (Bahawalpur)
- Masjid wa Markaz Taiba (Muridke)
- Gulpur, Sawai, Bilal Camp, Kotli Camp, Barnala, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Camps
- Over 80 terrorists reportedly killed.
- All IAF pilots returned safely.
- Visuals show Subhan Allah camp reduced to rubble.
- Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief, confirmed 10 family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, were killed.
Pakistan’s Retaliation: Shelling and Civilian Casualties
Following the strikes, Pakistan responded with heavy shelling and arbitrary firing along the LoC and International Border:
- Regions affected: Poonch and Tangdhar in Jammu & Kashmir
- Casualties:
- 15 civilians killed
- 43 injured
Damage on Ground
- Visuals from India Today showed:
- Houses destroyed
- Rubble and broken glass
- Widespread devastation along border villages
Sikh Casualties and SAD Response
Among the deceased were three Gursikhs, killed during the shelling of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch:
- Bhai Amrik Singh Ji (Raagi Singh)
- Bhai Amarjeet Singh
- Bhai Ranjit Singh
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed grief, stating:
“The Sikhs have always been, and will continue to be, the sword arm of the country.”
He demanded martyr status and compensation for the families.
Government Response
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah:
- Ordered evacuation of civilians near LoC and IB
- In touch with:
- BSF DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary
- J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
- Emphasized: “Security of civilians is India’s utmost priority.”
