To avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces, on early Wednesday morning, carried out precision strikes on terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
According to an official communiqué, forces launched “Operation Sindoor”, targeting nine sites where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.
“Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution,” the communiqué said.
“These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered.”
Since the attack, India’s top political brass has given the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the country’s response.
These strikes were carried out two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack and on the day when civil defence mock drills had been planned across the country.
PTI adds:
Pakistan Army vows response
Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that missile strikes were carried out by India at Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Bahawalpur in Punjab.
Some time ago, India launched air strikes in Bahwalpur’s Ahmed East area, Kotli and Muzaffarabad at three places from the air, he told ARY News channel.
“All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India’s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan,” he said.
“Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered,” he added.
India’s actions came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered widespread outrage in India and abroad.
“These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered,” the Indian Army said in the statement.
“We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,” it said.
The top military brass of India was closely monitoring the operation, people familiar with the matter said.
In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 29 gave the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Modi also emphasised the national resolve to deal a “crushing blow to terrorism”.
Ceasefire broken after India’s precision strikes
Pakistani troops resorted to heavy cross border shelling along the Line of Control in Karnah area of Kupwara district early Wednesday, less than two hours after India launched air strikes against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.