NEW DELHO: In a precise and high-impact cross-border operation named “Operation Sindoor”, Indian forces targeted the Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on the night of May 7. The site—operated by the proscribed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—was eliminated based on intelligence that it served as a key hub for infiltration, training, and staging of terror attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
What Was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a limited-scope, high-value anti-terror strike conducted deep inside PoJK, focusing exclusively on terror launchpads while deliberately avoiding Pakistan’s formal military infrastructure. The codename “Sindoor”—a symbol of sacrifice and protection—was chosen to reflect the operation’s objective: avenging Indian blood spilled in previous attacks and safeguarding future lives.
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Why India Targeted Syedna Bilal Camp?
Located opposite Red Fort in Muzaffarabad, Syedna Bilal Markaz is more than a mosque. It is the operational nerve center of JeM in PoJK, camouflaged under religious and charitable activities like the Hijama therapy centre and Al-Rehmat Trust office.
Key reasons for targeting this location:
- It functioned as a transit camp for infiltrating terrorists.
- Hosted training in weapons, explosives, and jungle survival.
- Had up to 100 trained militants housed at any time.
- Satellite and signal intelligence confirmed presence of top-level commanders during the days leading up to the strike.
High-Value Targets Eliminated or Disrupted
The operation aimed to neutralize or cripple JeM’s upper command tier, including:
Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri: Operational chief of JeM in PoJK and mastermind of the 2016 Nagrota Army Camp Attack.
Abdullah Jehadi: Co-conspirator in Nagrota.
Aashiq Nengroo: Indian fugitive and mastermind of the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing.
Sarfraz, Rehan Ali, and others: Key operatives who facilitated infiltration and attacks in India.
Why the Strike Happened at Night
India struck at night under the cover of darkness for strategic reasons:
Maximize element of surprise.
Avoid collateral civilian damage, as many of these sites are located near civilian populations.
Exploit gaps in Pakistan’s night-time radar and surveillance systems.
Timing coincided with intelligence confirmation of top commanders’ presence.
Why India Avoided Hitting Pakistan’s Army Directly
India’s strike was surgical and calibrated, avoiding direct conflict with the Pakistani military. The goal of Operation Sindoor was not escalation, but precision retaliation against terrorism:
Focus remained on UN-designated terror groups, not state infrastructure.
Preserved diplomatic leverage and avoided international backlash.
Sent a message: India distinguishes between civilians, soldiers, and terrorists—but will not spare the last.
Satellite Imagery & Damage Assessment
Imagery confirms significant destruction of key infrastructure—transit quarters, command rooms, and the Al-Rehmat Trust office—all of which supported operational activities of JeM.
JeM: Globally Recognized as a Terror Group
- Banned in India under UAPA, 2001
- UN-designated terror group
- Proscribed by: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE
- JeM chief Masood Azhar listed under UNSC 1267 sanctions (May 2019)
Strategic Significance of Operation Sindoor
With Operation Sindoor, India has reinforced its doctrine of pre-emptive, precise, and proportionate strikes against terrorism. The Syedna Bilal camp, long used as a launchpad for bloody attacks on Indian soil, now lies dismantled.
This operation sends a message across the border and globally: India will act, and act decisively, against those who shelter and sponsor terror.
