India has avenged the Pahalgam terror attack, with strikes across nine targets in Pakistan. Some of these locations are known for their close association with terrorist organisations Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The nine attack sites
The nine cities, where certain locations were targeted by India are: Bahawalpur Muridke Gulpur Bhimber Chak Amru Bagh Kotli Sialkot Muzaffarabad
Attack on terrorist hubs
Of these nine locations, the first one is Bahawalpur. It is closely associated with Jaish-e-Muhammad. It is a Pakistan based terrorist organisation which was set up in 2000. It has been responsible for several terror attacks in India, including the 2016 Uri attack and 2019 Pulwama attack.
The second one, Muridke, has close association with Lashkar e Taiba and its leadership – specially Hafiz Sayeed. Founded by Hafiz Sayeed in 1985-1986, LeT has played a role in several terror attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Punishing the attackers of Pahalgam
The attack on locations associated with these terrorist organisations show India’s intent to punish the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. However, experts says that given the gap between the date of the Pahalgam terror attack and today, these terrorists would have been taken to safety by Pakistan army.
Operation Sindoor against terrorist Infra
Earlier during the day the government released a statement which said that, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.
India's action non-escalaory
It added that altogether, nine (9) sites had been targeted. It also said that India’s actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.
The Pahalgam terror attack
India’s steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. The government statement added that India was living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.
ALSO: India strikes 9 sites in Pakistan, PoK in retaliation for Pahalgam attack