In a detailed press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai revealed that the Indian Army identified and targeted nine active terror hubs across the border, including in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Punjab province of Pakistan.
Diligent Intelligence Gathering
Lt Gen Ghai highlighted the meticulous preparation that led to the operation. “It set into motion a very diligent and microscopic scarring of the terror landscape across the borders and the identification of terror camps and training sites,” he said, explaining that Indian agencies scanned dozens of locations based on intelligence inputs.
While many suspected sites were found empty—likely vacated in anticipation of retaliation—several remained actively occupied. Intelligence agencies confirmed the presence of terrorists in nine major camps.
Focused Targeting to Avoid Civilian Harm
General Ghai underlined that Indian forces acted within strict operational parameters to minimize collateral damage. “There was also a term of reference and our own binding self-imposed restriction to target only terrorists and thus prevent collateral damage,” he added.
The Army exercised caution by focusing only on confirmed targets, ensuring that civilian areas or abandoned camps were left untouched.
Terror Camps in PoJK and Pakistan’s Punjab Province
Out of the nine identified terror hubs, some were located in PoJK, while others operated from within Pakistan’s Punjab province. Ghai specifically named Muridke, a long-recognized Lashkar-e-Taiba base, as one of the targeted areas.
“Nefarious places such as Muridke, the hub center of the Lashkar-e-Taiba has over the years bred infamous characters such as Ajmal Kasab and the likes of David Headley,” he stated, reminding the media of the camp’s deep terror affiliations.
A Calculated Strike Amid Rising Tensions
The briefing comes after heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted India’s retaliatory drone strikes and military escalation under Operation Sindoor. The operation was aimed at crippling terrorist infrastructure without drawing civilian casualties or targeting non-militant areas.
The Army’s top brass emphasized that while the operation delivered a strong message, it also showcased India’s strategic restraint and intelligence-driven warfare approach.