KKN Gurugram Desk | India’s retaliatory operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, has sent a clear and forceful message to terror networks and their backers across the border. The operation, launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, targeted nine major terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These included facilities run by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, two of the most deadly terror organizations responsible for attacks on Indian soil.

Eyewitnesses from Muzaffarabad and Mureedke described scenes of chaos and fear as missiles and drones struck targets with surgical precision. As details continue to emerge, both civilians and officials on the ground have begun to reveal the devastating effectiveness of India’s military response.

Eyewitness Account: “Missiles Rained Down from Nowhere”

A local resident from Muzaffarabad, Ahmed Abbasi, vividly recalled the moment when the attack began:

“It all started suddenly… I think around 10 to 15 missiles hit our area. We didn’t know what was happening. The sound was deafening. People screamed and ran for cover.”

Abbasi was referring to the targeted destruction of terror infrastructure in the region, including the infamous Shawai Nala Camp, also known as Bait-ul-Mujahideen, located on the Muzaffarabad–Neelum Road. This camp is historically significant as it trained terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, including Ajmal Kasab.

Terror at Mureedke: “We Saw Drones, Then Explosions”

Another eyewitness from Mureedke, a city near Lahore and a hub of Lashkar-e-Taiba activities, described how the night unfolded:

“It was around 12:45 AM. First, one drone appeared… then three more followed. Suddenly, explosions started near the mosques where terrorists used to gather. Everything was reduced to rubble.”

The Indian Air Force’s strategy involved both missiles and drones, with a focus on minimizing civilian casualties while eliminating high-value targets.

Pakistan Confirms Strikes but Downplays Impact

In an early morning press briefing at 4:08 AM, Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry admitted that 24 locations were attacked by India using “various weapon platforms.” While Pakistan has attempted to control the narrative by claiming some civilian structures were hit, multiple independent sources suggest the operation was highly targeted, focusing on militant hubs.

The Pakistani military confirmed strikes at:

• Subhan Allah Mosque, Ahmedpur East (Bahawalpur) – Known to be a Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters

• Kotli (Sialkot)

• Mureedke (Lahore)

• Shakargarh

• Kotki Lohara

Operation Sindoor: Key Highlights

• Date of Operation: Midnight of May 6–7, 2025

• Locations Targeted: 9 terror camps across PoK and Pakistan

• Casualties: At least 90 terrorists killed, including 10 family members of Masood Azhar

• Technology Used: Missiles, drones, precision-guided weapons

• Terror Camps Destroyed:

  • Shawai Nala Camp (Muzaffarabad)

  • Lashkar HQ (Mureedke)

  • Jaish center near Subhan Allah Mosque (Bahawalpur)

India emphasized that no Pakistani military or civilian structures were targeted unless they were directly associated with terrorist activities.

Why Muzaffarabad and Mureedke Were Primary Targets

Muzaffarabad:

• Central command area for several terror outfits

• Proximity to the LoC made it a convenient training and infiltration base

• Shawai Nala Camp’s historical association with attacks like 26/11 made it a high-value target

Mureedke:

• Known as the nerve center of Lashkar-e-Taiba

• Houses the Markaz-e-Taiba, a massive complex with dormitories, training areas, and arms storage

• Links with international terror financing and radicalization

India’s Official Stand: “Justice Must Prevail”

In a press conference held in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated:

“The individuals and entities responsible for the Pahalgam attack must be brought to justice. India has the sovereign right to act in self-defense when the state is under attack.”

He reiterated that Operation Sindoor was conducted:

• With full strategic planning

• In accordance with international laws

• With careful consideration to avoid civilian harm

Public Sentiment and National Unity

Back home, Indians across cities celebrated the strike:

• In Lucknow, people gathered to light diyas and chant slogans like “Pakistan ko sabak sikha diya“

• Families of Pahalgam victims expressed relief and closure

• Netizens trended hashtags like #OperationSindoor, #JaiHind, and #IndianAirForce

International Reactions

• United States: Expressed support for India’s right to defend itself.

• Russia and France: Backed India’s counter-terrorism efforts.

• China: Urged “restraint from both sides,” without condemning the strike.

• UN Security Council: Did not take up Pakistan’s request for emergency session.

Masood Azhar’s Personal Loss

Reports indicate that Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar lost:

• His wife, son, and elder sister

• Several close aides and relatives

His reaction, reportedly quoted by sources:

“It would’ve been better if I had died too.”

Operation Sindoor has redefined India’s counter-terrorism doctrine. The surgical airstrikes on key terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK are a clear warning: Terrorism emanating from across the border will no longer go unanswered.