India's Strikes on 9 Terror Targets in Pakistan: Key Details Uncovered

In the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities. As part of the retaliation, India conducted missile strikes targeting nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). These included key locations such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad headquarters in Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke.

Of the nine targets, four were situated in Pakistan, while the remaining five were in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The coordinates for the attacks were provided by intelligence agencies | Money Control

The Indian Air Force (IAF) focused on terror strongholds during 'Operation Sindoor,' hitting headquarters of banned groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The precise targets included Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal at Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, all associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Additionally, locations like Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, were struck. Hizbul Mujahideen camps at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were also targeted.

Operation Sindoor: Strikes Across 9 Locations

1. Markaz Subhan Allah of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Markaz Subhan Allah, situated in Bahawalpur within Punjab province, serves as the primary center for JeM's youth training and indoctrination. It is located on NH-5 (Karachi-Torkham Highway) on the outskirts of Bahawalpur, near Karachi Mor, covering an area of 15 acres and about 100 km from the international border.

This facility acts as the operational headquarters of JeM, playing a key role in various terrorist activities, including the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, with the attackers having received training at this camp. The Markaz also houses the residences of JeM leaders such as Maulana Masood Azhar (the group's chief), Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (de facto chief), Maulana Ammar, and other family members.

While Maulana Masood Azhar no longer resides there, having been placed under protective custody by Pakistani authorities at a secret location, Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar oversees JeM's operations in his absence.

The Markaz Subhan Allah is known for regularly providing arms, physical, and religious training to JeM cadres. Prominent figures like Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar and other family members of Maulana Masood Azhar, as well as Yusuf Azhar (head of the armed wing), live on the premises. Over 600 cadres also reside within the complex. Since mid-2022, Maulana Rafiqullah, a former religious trainer at Markaz Usman-o-Ali, has served as the chief instructor here.

The Markaz was established in 2015 with support from both provincial and federal Pakistani governments, as well as funds raised from JeM supporters in various Gulf and African nations, including the UK. It features a gym, swimming pool, horse stables, and a riding ground (added in 2022), and provides six-day archery training for its members and Shura members.

In November 2024, Maulana Masood Azhar visited the Markaz after a two-year hiatus and addressed the cadres.

Despite being designated as a terrorist organization by India, the USA, the UK, and other countries, JeM continues to operate from this facility, despite being officially banned by Pakistan in 2002 following the Indian Parliament attack.

2. Markaz Taiba of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Muridke, Pakistan

Markaz Taiba, located in Nangal Sahdan, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan, serves as the primary training center for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Established in 2000, this facility spans 82 acres and includes a madrassa, marketplace, residential quarters for operatives, sports facilities, a fish farm, and agricultural areas.

The center provides a range of military and ideological training, supporting radicalization and indoctrination programs for both local and international terror operatives. It also has separate educational centers for men and women to further instill religious beliefs and militancy within their respective cadres.

With approximately 1,000 students enrolled annually, Markaz Taiba plays a pivotal role in producing operatives for LeT. In 2000, Osama Bin Laden reportedly donated Rs 10 million to fund the construction of a mosque and guest house within the complex.

Notably, the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including Ajmal Kasab, underwent intelligence training at this facility. Key conspirators, David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, also visited the center, accompanied by other co-conspirators, under the direction of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

LeT leaders, including Amir Hamza, Abdul Rehman Abid, and Zafar Iqbal, reside on the premises, along with commanders Khubaib, Isa, and Qasim, who frequently visit the complex. Hafiz Saeed and other senior figures, including Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, also have residences within the facility and regularly supervise the radicalization efforts.

Markaz Taiba is seen as the core hub for LeT's terror operations, offering both ideological guidance and religious justification for actions like the Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Despite being recognized as a terrorist organization by countries such as India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and listed by the UN Security Council, Pakistan continues to permit its operations within its borders.

3. Sarjal / Tehra Kalan facility of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Sarjal, Pakistan

The Tehra Kalan or Sarjal facility is a key launch site for the infiltration of terrorists by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) into Jammu and Kashmir. Situated in the Shakargarh Tehsil of Narowal District in Punjab, Pakistan, it is concealed within the premises of a Primary Health Center in Tehra Kalan Village, part of the Sarjal area. This strategic placement hides its true purpose. The Pakistani ISI has facilitated the establishment of such launch sites in government buildings along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) to camouflage terror infrastructure.

This JeM facility is significant due to its location just about 6 km from the IB in the Samba Sector of Jammu, J&K. It acts as a base for the construction of cross-border tunnels, enabling the infiltration of terrorists. The ISI and JeM have developed an extensive network of underground tunnels in the Shakargarh area, which are used to infiltrate JeM cadres into India. The tunnels dug along the Arnia-Jammu Sector are a direct result of operations coordinated at this facility.

Additionally, the Sarjal facility functions as a base for launching drones, which are used to drop weapons, ammunition, narcotics, and other items into Indian territory. JeM is also planning to use drones for the aerial infiltration of terrorists into India. As such, this facility serves as an important hub for terror activities.

The complex houses a control room equipped with HF radio receivers and other communication tools used by JeM and Hizbul-Mujahideen operatives. Instructions are relayed to terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir through encrypted communication from this facility.

The facility includes a single-story building, with 6-7 rooms near the entrance used by PHC doctors and staff for public health services. Two quarters near the parking area and a hall are used by JeM operatives, with around 20-25 JeM terrorists stationed there to oversee infiltration attempts and support terrorist activities in India.

JeM commanders Mohammad Adnan Ali, known as "Doctor," and Kashif Jan are regular visitors to the facility. Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, the de facto chief of JeM, oversees operations from this facility, coordinating with operatives in the region. Notably, Adnan is referred to as "Doctor" because of his association with the Primary Health Center. Both Adnan and Kashif Jan have been designated as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act).

Kashif Jan was a key figure in planning and executing the 2016 terror attack on the Air Force Station in Pathankot.

4. Mehmoona Joya Facility of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Sialkot, Pakistan

The Mehmoona Joya facility, operated by Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), is situated near Kotli Bhutta Government Hospital in the Head Marala area of Sialkot District, Punjab, Pakistan. This facility is one of several terror camps in Pakistan that utilize government buildings with support from the ISI.

The facility serves as a base for HM cadres to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It is also used for training in terrorist activities, including weapon handling, with guidance from senior commanders at the site.

The facility is under the command of Mohd. Irfan Khan, also known as Irfan Tanda, who has been involved in various terror attacks, including the January 26, 1995, blasts at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, which resulted in eight deaths and 50 injuries. The then Governor, Shri K.V. Krishna Rao, narrowly escaped the attack orchestrated by Tanda.

Irfan Tanda has led numerous infiltration attempts from this facility into J&K and oversees the transportation and smuggling of weapons to support terrorists in the Kashmir Valley. Other Hizbul commanders, including Atta Al Rehman Alfezey (Abu Lala), Maaz Bhai, and Irfan Ghumman, also operate from this facility.

The site consists of single-story concrete buildings with three rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. HM cadres are housed in the nearby hospital quarters. The facility can accommodate up to 50 cadres at once, with around 20 to 25 terrorists typically stationed there, overseeing infiltration and terrorist activities in India.

5. Markaz Ahle Hadith of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Barnala, PoK

The Markaz Ahle Hadith, located on the outskirts of Barnala town on Kote Jamel Road, serves as a significant operational hub for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Situated approximately 500 meters from Barnala town and 200 meters from Kote Jamel Road, it plays a critical role in facilitating the infiltration of LeT terrorists and the smuggling of weapons into the Poonch-Rajouri-Reasi region.

With the capacity to house between 100 and 150 militants, it typically accommodates around 40 to 50 terrorists overseeing the operations being planned there. The markaz also functions as a staging point for terrorists before their infiltration into Indian territory. Notable LeT operatives such as Qasim Gujjar (also known as Mahrore), Qasim Khanda, and Anas Jarar are known to operate from this location. Khubaib (also called Mohd Amin Butt) frequently visits the site, and both Qasim Gujjar and Khubaib have been designated under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

LeT militants Saifullah Sajid Jutt and Abu Qatal Sindhi (who was killed in March 2025) were involved in attacks targeting civilians, including the January 1, 2023 assault in Dhangri, Rajouri, which resulted in the deaths of seven civilians, and the June 9, 2024 attack on a bus of pilgrims in Reasi, which killed nine. Leaders from LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), along with the Jammu and Kashmir United Movement, regularly visit the markaz to oversee terrorist activities in the region.

6. Markaz Abbas of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kotli, PoK

The Markaz Saidna Hazrat Abbas Bin Abdul Mutalib (Markaz Abbas) of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is situated on Mohalla Roli Dhara Bypass Road, Kotli, in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It lies 2 km southeast of the Kotli Military Camp. The facility can house between 100-125 JeM militants, with around 40-50 present at all times.

The head of this Markaz is Hafiz Abdul Shakoor, also known as Qari Zarrar, a member of the JeM Shura Council and one of the organization's founding members. He was previously associated with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) before breaking away with Maulana Masood Azhar to form JeM.

Qari Zarrar resides in a three-story building next to Markaz Abbas and plays a direct role in organizing and executing terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the attack on an Indian Army camp near Baleeni Bridge, Nagrota, Jammu, on November 29, 2016.

He also facilitates JeM fundraising operations through his contacts in Afghanistan. Other notable JeM members based at Markaz Abbas include Qari Maaz (his son), Mohammad Maviya Khan, Tahir Nazir, and Abu Bakr. Following the Pathankot attack, weapons and ammunition previously stored at the Daska Markaz in Sialkot were moved to Markaz Abbas in Kotli. Whenever necessary, Qari Zarrar transports arms and ammunition to Sialkot in his vehicle(s).

7. Maskar Raheel Shahid of Hizbul-Mujahideen in Kotli, PoK

Maskar Rahil Shahid, situated approximately 2.5 kilometers from Mahuli Puli (a bridge on Mahuli Nalla along the Mirpur-Kotli road) in Kotli District, PoJK, is one of the oldest facilities of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The camp is in a remote area, accessible only via an unpaved track.

Located in a hilly region, the camp includes barracks, four rooms used for storing arms and ammunition, an office, and residential spaces for terrorists. A new building for the accommodation of cadres and instructors has been added. The camp has a dedicated electricity line despite its isolated location and is surrounded by dense forest cover.

The facility can house around 150 to 200 HM terrorists, with around 25 to 30 usually present at any given time, overseeing the terrorist activities being conducted there. The camp is primarily used for arms training, physical conditioning, and specialized training in sniping and Border Action Team (BAT) operations. Terrorists also undergo training in mountainous warfare and survival techniques.

In the past, Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin personally welcomed newly recruited militants and oversaw their training. Currently, the camp is managed by Abu Maaz, who, along with Abdul Rehman, conducts the training sessions.

The camp also stores substantial propaganda materials, including posters, photos, and videos of deceased HM terrorists, which are used to radicalize and inspire cadres to carry out violent actions against India.

8. Shawai Nallah Camp of Lashkar-e-Taiba,  Muzaffarabad, PoK

Shawai Nallah Camp is a significant training facility for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), primarily used for the recruitment, registration, and training of new LeT operatives. The camp has been operational since the early 2000s.

Located near the Chelabandi bridge on the Muzaffarabad-Neelum Road in Muzaffarabad, PoK, the camp is also referred to as Huzaifa Bin Yemen or Bait-ul-Mujahideen. It houses a variety of facilities, including a firing range, a training ground, a madrassa for LeT recruits, and approximately 40 rooms.

The camp is equipped to accommodate LeT operatives, including residences for commanders and instructors. It serves as a base for Daura-e-Aam training, which encompasses religious indoctrination, physical fitness, tactical drills in GPS usage, map reading, and arms training for rifles and grenades. LeT’s leader Hafiz Saeed is known to personally greet new recruits upon their arrival. After completing initial training at Shawai Nallah, recruits are sent to other LeT camps for advanced terrorist training.

The camp is also occasionally used for specialized weapons training and refresher courses for experienced LeT commanders. The ISI often facilitates these training sessions by providing Pakistan Army trainers to instruct LeT operatives.

Shawai Nallah can house between 200 to 250 trainees at a time, with 50 to 100 usually present for various activities. Ajmal Kasab and other perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks are known to have trained at this camp. It plays a crucial role in the early-stage indoctrination and preparation of LeT operatives.

The camp also functions as a staging ground for LeT terrorists before they infiltrate Indian territory, with recruits being sent to launch sites in North Kashmir, including locations such as Athmuqam, Leepa, Dudniyal, Tejian, and Kel.

The camp is managed by LeT commander Abu Dujana, assisted by Qamar Bhai, who is responsible for coordinating training schedules. Senior LeT commanders frequently visit the camp, and the activities of LeT’s front organization, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, located in Muzaffarabad’s Chela Bandi, support its operations. Since 2023, there has been a noticeable increase in activity at the camp, with ongoing construction aimed at expanding its capacity to accommodate more recruits.

9. Syedna Bilal Markaz of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Muzaffarabad, PoK

The Syedna Bilal Masjid serves as the primary hub for Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), located directly across from the Red Fort in Muzaffarabad. Adjacent to the mosque building is the JeM office and a transit camp situated on the first floor. The mosque itself is a three-story structure, with a Hijama center (a medical therapy involving pressure cupping) located on the ground floor. The facility spans 8-10 kanals and houses family quarters, an office building, and the Al-Rehmat Trust's office, which is the charity wing of JeM.

This facility functions as a transit point for JeM operatives before they are deployed to Jammu and Kashmir. At any given time, it accommodates between 50-100 terrorists. Additional training is conducted here by Pakistani Special Forces, specifically the SSG, as evidenced by photographs recovered from the phones of slain JeM militants.

Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, the operational head of JeM and in charge of its PoJK operations, oversees the facility. Abdullah Jehadi, also known as Abdullah Kashmiri, and the Indian fugitive Aashiq Nengroo are also involved in operations at this center. Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, a veteran of the Afghan War and former member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), joined JeM in 2000 when it was established. He maintains a close relationship with JeM leader Maulana Masood Azhar and is regarded as one of the organization's most influential operational leaders. Additionally, Rehan Ali, alias Ali Aslam, a JeM member from Rawalakot in PoJK, passed through the Syedna Bilal facility before being involved in an encounter at the Hiranagar sector in Jammu on June 11, 2024.

(Source: Money Control, NDTV, OpIndia)