New Delhi, May 07 (KNO): In a decisive and calculated response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives on April 22, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting nine key terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Addressing the media in New Delhi this morning, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “Operation Sindoor was launched to bring the perpetrators and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice. Despite a fortnight having passed, there has been no demonstrable step from Pakistan against terrorists’ infrastructure in its area.”
The ‘Operation Sindoor’, which commenced around 1:44 AM, was meticulously executed based on precise intelligence inputs, and successfully neutralized all identified terror camps without causing any civilian casualties or targeting military installations.
The terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), through its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, where gunmen indiscriminately opened fire on tourists in front of their families. It was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai carnage.
Misri said that the assault was designed to derail peace and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen over 2.5 crore visitors in the past few years, and to incite communal discord.
“Pakistan continues to be a breeding ground for terrorism, sheltering and supporting terror outfits like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed under various aliases,” Misri asserted.
The strikes were termed as a “non-escalatory, precise, and responsible” step.
Military officials including Colonel Sofiya Quresh and Wing Commander Yomika Singh, who briefed the media alongside Misri, emphasized that Operation Sindoor was a mission for justice. “All nine targets were destroyed. Our forces exercised utmost restraint and precision to avoid civilian harm,” they noted.
India has provided detailed inputs on TRF, LeT, and JeM to the UN monitoring team, highlighting their operations through new proxy fronts. The UN Security Council (UNSC) has already issued a statement condemning the Pahalgam attack and calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
While India has chosen to respond proportionately, government sources warned of intelligence inputs indicating possible future terror attempts by Pakistan-based groups. “India has shown patience, but our armed forces remain fully prepared to defend our people and respond as needed,” Misri said.
According to the details accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the terror camps that were targeted during “Operation Sindoor” are as follows:
MARKAZ SUBHAN ALLAH, JAISH-E-MOHAMMAD
Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, located at NH-5 (Karachi- Torkham Highway) on the outskirts
According to the officials this is main centre of JeM for training and indoctrination of youth which is spread over a 15-acre area.
This Markaz serves as the operational headquarter of JeM and associated with terrorist plannings including Pulwama attack on Feb 14, 2019. Perpetrators of Pulwama attack were trained at this camp.
The Markaz also consists of residences of JeM Chief Maulana Masood Azhar, de-facto Chief of JeM Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar and other family members.
Maulana Masood Azhar remains to be the de-jure chief of JeM and under the protective custody of Pak authorities at an undisclosed location in Islamabad/Rawalpindi while the actual operations of JeM are carried out by Mufti. JeM conducts regular arms, physical and religious training for its cadres at Markaz Subhan Allah. Senior JeM functionaries such as Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (de-facto head, JeM) and other brothers of Maulana Masood Azhar, chief of JeM and his brother-in-law, Yusuf Azhar @ Ustad Ghouri, head of JeM’s (armed) wing reside in this premises.
Besides the residences of these important JeM functionaries, the complex also houses more than 600 cadres.
Maulana Rafiqullah, former religious trainer at Markaz Usman-o-Ali is chief instructor at this Markaz since mid-2022.
The Markaz Subhan Allah was built with the help of both the provincial and federal governments of Pakistan, apart from funds raised by JeM from some Gulf and African countries including the UK. It is operational since 2015.
In March 2018, a gymnasium was established inside the Markaz. It also has a swimming pool since July 2018 for imparting rigorous swimming and deep-water diving courses for JeM cadres. The JeM also imparts 6 days archery training to its cadres and Shura members at the Markaz.
In 2019, a new 'Al Hijama' Centre (Treatment by use of Pressure Cupping) was established inside the Markaz. Horse stables and Riding Ground were built in May 2022.
Recently, On Nov.30, 2024, Maulana Masood Azhar addressed JeM cadres at Markaz Subhan Allah after a gap of two years. Anti-India rhetoric, including taking revenge for Babri Masjid demolition reiterated during the address, were raised by him. The event was attended by Maulana Talha Saif (younger brother of MMA), Mohammad Abdullah Bin Masood (s/o MMA) and other JeM operatives.
Before this, MMA last reported appearance at Khatm-e-Bukhari at MarkazSubhan Allah on on February 13, 2022. During July 2023, MMA performed ‘Eid-ul-Azha’ proceedings along with his family, brothers and senior JeM functionaries.
It is located at an aerial distance of 100.4 km (approx.) from IB opposite of Khajuwala, Bikaner, Rajasthan.
The JeM commanders associated with their Afghan operations also visit this Markaz for terrorist plannings and meetings with senior JeM functionaries.
Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (MARA) arranges for the consignments of weapons, including recently acquired M4 Rifles left by NATO forces in Afghanistan, through KPK based smugglers from this facility.
The most important fidayeen terrorists including close relatives of JeM Chief Maulana Masood Azhar such as his nephews Talha Rasheed, Usman , Umar and Mohammad Ismail @ Lambu were indoctrinated for fidayeen attack at this facility and sent to Balakot for arms training.
The JeM has been proscribed as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) in Oct 2001.
The organization has also been designated as a terrorist organization by various countries. Among others, these include the USA (October, 2001), UK (October, 2001), Australia (August, 2015), Canada (November, 2002) and UAE (November, 2014). JeM was listed as a terrorist organization by the UN in October, 2001.
The chief of the organization, Maulana Masood Azhar was also designated under UNSCR 1267 in May, 2019.
The organization was ostensibly banned by Pakistan in January, 2002 under international pressure after the group carried out a terror attack on the Indian Parliament in December, 2001.
The JeM continues to carry out its terror activities from its headquarters in Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur which is serves as a hub from terror indoctrination and training.
MARKAZ TAIBA, LASHKAR-E-TAIBA
Muridke, Punjab
The officials said that this facility was established in the year 2000, Markaz Taiba is the ‘alma mater’ and the most important training centre of LeT located in Nangal Sahdan, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan.
The complex spread across 82 acres, comprises of madrassa, market, residential area for terror entities, sports facility, a fish farm and agricultural tracts.
The complex holds arms and physical trainings facility, as well as for dawa’h and radicalisation/indoctrination for terror entities both from within Pakistan and abroad.
There is a Sufa Academy, located in the Markaz catering to religious indoctrination for male cadres and a separate Sufa education centre for women.
This markaz serves as mushrooming ground for radicalisation of students to motivate them to pick up arms. It can be compared to a terror factory.
This markaz enrolls around 1000 students in different courses annually there by highlighting the role of this markaz in churning out terror entities for LeT annually. LeT/JuD also conducts periodical training for its entire leadership in this facility.
Osama Bin Laden had financed Rs 10 million for construction of mosque & guest house within the Markaz Taiba complex in the year 2000.
At the behest of Pakistan’s ISI, all the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack including Ajmal Kasab were imparted ‘Daura-e-Ribbat’ (intelligence training) at this facility. David Coleman Headly & Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the prime conspirators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, had visited Muridke along with Abdul Rehman Sayed @ Pasha, Haroon and Khurram (co-conspirators) on instructions of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
LeT ideologues Amir Hamza, Abdul Rehman Abid and Zafar Iqbal reside in the premises of this Markaz.
LeT commanders Khubaib, Isa and Qasim frequently visit this Markaz.
Other than these ideologues, Hafiz Saeed and other terror entities of LeT, including Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi, have houses in this facility. They regularly visit to supervise the radicalisation activities being conducted from this Markaz.
Pertinently, this Markaz is considered fountainhead for LeT terrorism, as Dawa’h from other sects of Islam to Ahle Hadith (being followed by LeT) is being conducted here only. This markaz provides the strategy to LeT, and also religious justification for Ghazwat-ul-Hind.
LeT is designated as a terrorist organisation by many countries including UK(2001), USA (2001), India (2002), Australia(2003). Further after the Mumbai attack (2008) LeT was placed on the consolidated list established by UNSC Resolution 1267.
Despite the global ban on LeT, Pakistan has allowed the organisation and its leaders to go about their terrorist activities and organisation to flourish.
SARJAL / TEHRA KALAN FACILITY
Jaish-e-Mohammad, Shakargarh, District Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan
This facility, the officials said, is the main launching site of JeM for infiltration of terrorists into J&K. It is located in the Shakargarh Tehsil of Narowal District in Punjab, Pakistan. This facility is located inside the premises of a Primary Health Center in Tehra Kalan Village of Sarjal area so as to conceal its real purpose.
The terror backers, Pak ISI have facilitated setting up of such launch facilities along IB & LoC in Govt buildings to hide/conceal terror infrastructure. In-fact, a number of other facilities of JeM and HM in Punjab, Pakistan operate from basic health units/ primary health centre, which has been facilitated by ISI.
This JeM facility holds special prominence due to its close proximity of around 06 km from IB in Samba Sector of Jammu, J&K.
It serves as the base for the digging of cross-border tunnels for infiltration of terrorists.
Pak ISI and JeM have developed a network of underground tunnels in Shakargarh area which is used for infiltration of JeM cadres into India.
All the tunnels which have been dug across the IB in Arnia-Jammu Sector are handiwork of the handlers from this facility.
The Sarjal facility also serves as the launching base for drones by which arms/ammunition/narcotics and warlike stores are dropped into Indian territory. The JeM has also been planning use of drones for infiltrating JeM terrorist into India aerially using drones.
This facility therefore serves as an important terror base. It has a control room also, in which the HF radio receivers and other communication facilities being used by the terrorists of JeM and Hizbul-Mujahideen are located. Instructions to terrorists operating in J&K are communicated through encrypted mode from the facility.
The complex consists of single storey buildings wherein 6/7 rooms near first entrance are used by doctors and staff members of PHC for health check-up of patient/public.
The two quarters near the parking and a hall are being used by JeM for their operational commanders and cadres. 20 – 25 JeM terrorists usually remain stationed at this JeM facility to supervise infiltration attempts and terrorist activities of infiltrated terrorists in India.
Despite international pressure and purported ban by Pakistan government, JeM continues to carry out its terror activities from its facilities including Sarjal facility.
MEHMOONA JOYA FACILITY, SIALKOT
Mehmoona Joya facility of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) is located near Kotli Bhutta Govt Hospital in Head Marala area of Sialkot District of Punjab, Pakistan, officials said.
The terror backers, Pak ISI have facilitated setting up of such launch facilities along IB & LoC in Govt buildings to hide/conceal terror infrastructure.
In-fact, a number of other facilities of JeM and HM in Punjab, Pakistan operates from Basic Health Units/ Primary Health Centre, which has been facilitated by ISI.
This facility is used for infiltration of HM cadres into Jammu region of J&K. HM cadres are also given training for terrorist operations and handling of weapons by the senior commanders at this facility.
Mohammad Irfan Khan @ Irfan Tanda is commander of this facility.
Tanda has been involved in carrying out several attacks in Jammu region, especially in capital city of Jammu, particularly series of blasts carried out by Tanda on 26 Jan 1995 in Maulana Azad Stadium of Jammu leaving 8 persons dead and 50 injured. The then J&K Governor K.V.Krishna Rao narrowly escaped the attack.
Irfan Tanda has led several infiltration bids from this HM facility into J&K and handles transportation / smuggling of weapons for valley based terrorists from this facility.
Other important HM commanders who operate from this facility are Atta Al Rehman Alfezey @ Abu Lala and Maaz Bhai, who are both actively leading infiltration of HM terrorists into J&K from this facility. HM terrorist Irfan Ghumman also operates from this facility and has been involved in orchestrating BAT action against Indian security forces in Jammu – Samba sector.
The facility consists of single-story concrete building having three rooms, one kitchen and one bathroom respectively. Quarters of the near-by hospital in the vicinity of facility is used to accommodate HM cadres. This facility can accommodate approximately 50 cadres at a time and around 20 – 25 terrorists are usually present at this facility at any point of time overseeing infiltration bids and terrorist operations in India.
Despite ban the organisation is continuing to openly use its facilities like the Mehmoona facility to carry out terrorist training/ activities in Pak/PoJK and in order to execute terrorist operations in India.
MARKAZ AHLE HADITH BARNALA
Lashkar-e-Taiba Bhimber District, PoJK
According to the officials this is one of the important Markaz of LeT in PoJK and is used for infiltration of LeT terrorists and arms/ammunition into Poonch – Rajauri - Reasi sector.
The Markaz is situated at outskirts of Barnala town on Kote Jamel road and is at a distance of 500 metres from Barnala town and 200 metre from Kote Jemel road. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala can accommodate 100 -150 cadres and around 40 – 50 cadres are usually present at this Markaz, supervising terror activities being organised from this Markaz.
This Markaz is also utilized as staging centre for LeT terrorists before infiltrating into Indian territory.
LeT terror operatives Qasim Gujjar @ Mahrore, Qasim Khanda, Anas Jarar operate from this Markaz and reside in its vicinity. Khubaib @ Mohammad Amin Butt also visits this Markaz regularly. Qasim Gujjar and Khubaib have been designated under UA (P) Act by Indian Government. Saifullah Sajid Jutt and Abu Qatal Sindhi (killed in March 2025) planned and executed attacks targeting civilians including attack (Jan 01, 2023) in Dhangri, Rajouri killing 7 civilians and attack (June 09, 2024) on bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, killing 9 civilians from this facility of LeT.
MARKAZ ABBAS KOTLI, Jaish-e-Mohammad
This JeM terror facility, the officials said, is located in Mohalla Roli Dhara Bypass Road, Kotli, PoJK. This Markaz is located approx. 2 km south-east of Kotli Military Camp. This building can accommodate around 100 - 125 JeM cadres and 40 – 50 JeM cadres are always present within premises of this Markaz at any point of time.
Residence of Qari Zarrar Markaz Abbas, Hafiz Abdul Shakoor @ Qari Zarrar, is head of this Markaz. Qari Zarrar is a Shura member of JeM Council. Qari Zarrar is one of the founding members of JeM and part of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) terrorists who had left HuM and founded JeM along with Maulana Masood Azhar. Qari Zarrar lives in the three-storey building located adjacent to Markaz Abbas. Qari Zarrar is directly involved in planning and execution of terrorist attacks in J&K.
Qari Zarrar is wanted accused by NIA for attack on Indian Army Camp near Baleeni Bridge, Nagrota, Jammu on Nov
29, 2016. He is also involved in fund raising for JeM through his contacts in Afghanistan.
Other JeM terrorists based at Markaz Abbas include Qari Maaz (son of Qari Zarrar), Mohammad Maviya Khan, Tahir Nazir and Abu Bakr.
After Pathankot attack, arms & ammunition stores of JeM, earlier stored in Daska Markaz in Sialkot, were transferred to Markaz Abbas in Kotli, PoJK.
Qari Zarrar himself carries arms and ammunition to Sialkot in his vehicle(s), whenever required.
Muaz @ Qari Maaz, son of Qari Zarar, formerly associated with JeM's Afghanistan chapter, is person in-charge of a launching detachment in North Kashmir. Muaz returned from Afghanistan during October 2018.
MASKAR RAHEEL SHAHID-- KOTLI, POJK
Hizbul-Mujahideen
Located at approximately 2.5 kms from Mahuli Puli (a bridge on Mahuli Nalla on Mirpur-Kotli road) in Kotli District, PoJK, Maskar Rahil Shahid is one of the oldest facilities of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), the officials said.
It is a secluded facility and accessible only via a kuchcha track. The camp is located in hilly area and comprises of barracks, four rooms being used for keeping arms & ammunition, office and for residential purpose for terrorists.
A new facility for accommodation of cadres and instructors has been constructed in this campus.
A special designated electricity line is provided to this camp in this otherwise secluded area. This camp is located in heavy forest cover.
It can accommodate around 150 – 200 HM terrorists. Around 25 –30 HM terrorists are usually present at this facility supervising terrorist activities being organised at this camp.
Pertinently, HM terrorists visit this facility particularly for taking arms firing training and specialized physical training. In addition to providing conventional arms / physical training, this camp specializes in training cadres for BAT/ sniping actions.
Terrorist cadres are taken to nearby hilly area for training regarding fighting in hilly area. Survival training is also imparted at this camp.
Fresh construction activities have been noticed in this camp with an aim to accommodate more cadres. Large amount of propaganda material including posters, photos and videos of slain HM terrorists are kept at this camp and used to radicalize and motivate HM cadres to carry out violent ‘Jihad’ against India.
Despite USA declaring (June2017) HM Chief & Chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC), Syed Salahuddin a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and the proscribing of HM outfit by USA (August 2017) and European Union (Nov 2005), the organisation is continuing to openly use its facilities like the Mehmoona facility to carry out terrorist training/ activities in Pak/PoJK and in order to execute terrorist operations in India.
SHAWAI NALLAH CAMP
Lashkar-e-Taiba, Muzaffarabad, PoJK
It is one of the most important camps of LeT and is used for recruitment, registration and training of LeT cadres, the officials said.
This camp has been functional since early 2000.
The camp is located near Chelabandi bridge on Muzaffarabad-Neelum Road, Muzaffarabad, PoJK. This camp is also known as Huzaifa Bin Yemen and Bait-ul-Mujahideen camp.
This camp includes a firing range, training ground, LeT Madrassa for cadres, and around 40 rooms.
Shawai Nallah Camp has a large accommodation for LeT cadres along with residences for LeT terrorist commanders & instructors. This facility is used as base camp for imparting Daura-e-Aam training, which includes religious indoctrination, physical training, tactical training regarding use of GPS, map reading and arms training for rifles and grenades.
After completion of initial training at this camp, cadres are sent to other LeT camps for further terrorist training.
Shawai Nallah Camp is also used from time to time to organize specialized weapons training for LeT cadres.
The LeT has been using this camp for organizing refresher courses for its already trained commanders/cadres. Pak-ISI also facilitates holding trainings at this camp by providing trainers of Pak Army to provide weapons training to LeT terrorists
Shawai Nallah Camp can accommodate 200 -250 cadres, and around 50 – 100 cadres are usually present at this camp undergoing various terror activities being organised at this camp.
Pertinently, Ajmal Kasab and other terrorists involved in 26/11 had undergone training in this camp. This camp forms a very important infrastructure for initial indoctrination and training of LeT terrorists.
LeT commander, Abu Dujana is in-charge of the camp and is assisted by Qamar Bhai, who looks after training schedules for cadres. This camp is frequently visited by several senior LeT commanders.
Office of LeT’s front organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa located in Chela Bandi, Muzaffarabad facilitates operations of this camp.
SYEDNA BILAL MARKAZ
Jaish-e-Mohammad, Muzaffarabad, PoJK
According to the officials it is the main centre of JeM in PoJK, located opposite Red Fort, Muzaffarabad. JeM’s Office cum Transit Camp is located on the first floor adjacent to the building of Syedna Bilal Masjid.
The Masjid building consists of a three-storey building (from hill slope side)/ two stories from front wherein the ‘Hijama Centre’ (pressure cupping medical therapy) is located on the ground floor. This facility is spread over 08-10 Kanals. This facility has family quarters, office building and office of Al-Rehmat Trust, charity wing of JeM. This facility is used as a transit camp for JeM terrorists prior to their launching into J&K. At any point of time 50-100 cadres resides in this facility.
Additionally training by Pakistani Special Forces, SSG, is imparted here, as indicted from the photographs retrieved from phones of killed JeM terrorists.
The JeM operational commander and JeM head of PoJK, Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri is in-charge of the facility. Abdullah Jehadi@ Abdullah Kashmiri and Aashiq Nengroo (Indian Fugitive) also operate from this centre.
Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Abdullah Jehadi are wanted accused in Nagrota Attack, 2016 as they had planned and executed the Nagrota attack in which terrorists entered into the Army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni Bridge and started indiscriminate firing upon the army personnel.
Ashiq Nengroo is an Indian fugitive and a wanted accused in IED attack on Convoy of CRPF personnel at Lethpora, Pulwama J&K, 2019 in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. He is absconding and had possibly ex-filtrated and taken shelter under patronage of Pak-ISI and JeM in Pakistan.
Aashiq Nengroo is carrying out these terror operations in India from his base in Syedna Bilal facility of JeM.
The JeM commander, Abdul Rehman @Saad @ Shahid (r/o Poonch) who was arrested (May 16, 2016) in Baramulla for his involvement in expanding JeM network in J&K had exfiltrated into PoJK and visited Markaz Syedna Bilal, Muzaffarabad in 2013 prior to his arms training at JeM’s Training center at Balakot, KPK.
The JeM Commander Sarfraz present also operates from Markaz Syedna Bilal—(KNO)