**Indian Armed Forces Target Terror Bases in Pakistan**
**Meta Description:** Indian forces conducted strikes on terror bases in Pakistan, targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, key players in regional terrorism.
**URL Slug:** indian-forces-strike-pakistan-terror-bases
**Headline:** Indian Armed Forces Conduct Strikes on Terror Bases in Pakistan
In a significant military operation, the Indian armed forces executed strikes on terror bases located in Pakistan during overnight operations. Pakistan has confirmed that nine sites were targeted in the regions of Kotli, Muridke, and Bahawalpur. Dubbed Operation Sindoor, the primary focus of these strikes was on the jihadist infrastructures of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba, two terrorist organizations implicated in numerous attacks on Indian soil over the last thirty years.
**Why Bahawalpur?**
Bahawalpur, the 12th largest city in Pakistan, is notably the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Situated approximately 400 km from Lahore, it is home to the group’s operational base at the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah complex, also referred to as the Usman-o-Ali campus. This mosque, which masquerades as a seminary, was among the sites targeted by Indian forces. The complex spans 18 acres and serves as a hub for JeM’s recruitment, fundraising, and indoctrination activities.
The founder of JeM, Maulana Masood Azhar, hails from Bahawalpur and resides in a heavily fortified compound. Although JeM was officially banned in 2002, the ban has largely been ineffective, allowing the group to operate freely. Notably, the JeM camp is located just a few miles from a military cantonment, which is the headquarters of Pakistan’s 31 Corps, raising concerns about the support and protection provided to JeM by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
**Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah: A Key Target**
The Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, funded through the Al-Rahmat Trust—a front organization for JeM—was a modest structure until 2011, when it was expanded into a large complex with training facilities by 2012. Satellite imagery reveals an 18-acre facility that has undergone intermittent construction and development, featuring a grand central mosque, a madrassa accommodating over 600 students, a swimming pool, stables for horses, and a gymnasium.
**The JeM’s History and Objectives**
Jaish-e-Mohammed gained notoriety following the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight on December 24, 1999, by five Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorists. The plane, carrying 190 passengers, was diverted through several locations before being taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan. After intense negotiations, India agreed to release three terrorists, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the hostages.
Masood Azhar, born in 1968, was previously a cleric and member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen before founding JeM shortly after his release. The group, inspired by the Deobandi school of radical Islam, has collaborated with various terror organizations to execute numerous attacks in India since 2000, including assaults on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the Indian Parliament. JeM, which translates to “Army of Muhammad,” aims to integrate Kashmir into Pakistan under a radical interpretation of Sharia law.
**Conclusion**
The recent strikes by the Indian armed forces underscore the ongoing conflict and the persistent threat posed by terrorist organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. As tensions continue to rise, the implications of these military actions may have far-reaching effects on regional security and stability.
**FAQ**
**What is Operation Sindoor?**
Operation Sindoor is a military operation conducted by the Indian armed forces targeting terror bases in Pakistan, specifically focusing on the infrastructures of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
