New Delhi: In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday launched “focused and precise” missile strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). Named ‘Operation Sindoor’, the attack targeted infrastructure linked to three major terror outfits: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. But what are these targets? Another question that takes the centre stage is why the town of Bahawalpur, located around 100 km from the international border, hit? In this article, OdishaBytes will decode these targets, their geographical locations and the significance of Bahawalpur.
Bahawalpur & the JeM headquarters
One of the most significant targets was the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur. The town is widely considered the nerve centre of JeM operations. It has been under Indian radar since the Pulwama attack in 2019, reported the India Today. The terrorist organisation, JeM, is led by Masood Azhar. This terror group has claimed responsibility for, or has been associated to, several attacks in India including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing.
Located around 400 km from Lahore, Bahawalpur houses the group’s operational headquarters at the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah. This masjid is also known as the Usman-o-Ali campus.
This 18-acre facility reportedly includes a central mosque, a madrassa for over 600 students, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and stables. Though publicly presented as a religious seminary, the compound was quietly transformed into a full-fledged training facility after 2011, reportedly with funding routed through Al-Rahmat Trust, a JeM front organisation, reported the Business Standard.
This campus is situated just a few miles from Pakistan’s 31 Corps military cantonment. Moreover Markaz Subhan Allah, located at NH-15 on the outskirts of Bahawalpur at Karachi Mor also consists of the residences of Masood, JeM de-facto Chief Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar and other family members, ANI reported. While Masood Azhar remains to be the de-jure Chief of JeM at an undisclosed location in Islamabad, allegedly under the protective custody of Pakistan authorities, Asghar carries out the operations of JeM.
Muridke: Lashkar-e-Taiba Base and Training Ground
Another target that was hit is Muridke, roughly 40 kilometres north of Lahore. Muridke is the long-established nerve centre of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its charitable wing, Jamaat-ud-Dawa. India accuses LeT of having orchestrated the 2008 Mumbai attacks, among several other terror operations. The 26/11 attackers received their training here, reports claimed. The Muridke terror facility includes training areas, indoctrination centres, and logistical support infrastructure. It spreads over more than 200 acres.
Maskar Raheel Shahid, Hizbul-Mujahideen Kotli: Located at approx. 2.5 kms from Mahuli Puli (a bridge on Mahuli Nalla on Mirpur-Kotli road) in Kotli district (in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), Maskar Rahil Shahid is one of the oldest facilities of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). It is a secluded facility and accessible only via a Kuchcha track. The camp is located in hilly area and comprises barracks, four rooms being used for keeping arms & ammunition, office and for residential purpose for terrorists, reported the ANI.
Shawai Nallah Camp: It is one of the most important camps of LeT and is used for recruitment, registration and training of LeT cadres. This camp had been functional since early 2000, sources told ANI.
Syedna Bilal Masjid: It is the main centre of JeM in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, located opposite Red Fort, Muzaffarabad. 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, an ANI report quoting sources revealed.
Here’s a look at the nine targets India struck:
- BAHAWALPUR:100 Km from International Boundary (JeM Headquarters)
- MURIDKE:30 Km from border, opposite Samba (LeT camp linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks)
- GULPUR:35 Km from LoC, Poonch-Rajauri (linked to 2023 Poonch attack and 2024 bus attack on pilgrims)
- SHAWAI:30 Km inside Pak-Occupied Kashmir (linked to Sonmarg attack, Gulmarg attack and recent Pahalgam attack)
- BILAL CAMP:JeM launchpad
- KOTLI CAMP:15 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri (LeT bomber camp)
- BARNALA CAMP:10 Km from LoC, opposite Rajauri
- SARJAL CAMP: 8 Km from IB, opposite Samba-Kathua (JeM camp)
- MEHMOONA CAMP: 15 Km from IB, near Sialkot (Hizbul Mujahideen training camp)
