Drone strikes launched by India under Operation Sindoor hit terror targets deep inside Pakistan’s Punjab province, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) stronghold in Muridke, where locals reported that the administrative office and roof of a mosque were destroyed.
Residents of Muridke described scenes of panic during the night-time strikes, which began around 12:45 AM. “First a drone came, then three more,” said a local quoted by Reuters. “The drone attack destroyed the administrative office and the roof of the mosque. One officer sitting on the roof was killed.” Another resident said fear spread rapidly, with people fleeing into nearby fields and open areas.
The target in Muridke was part of the Markaz Taiba complex, the principal training and indoctrination hub of LeT, known for its role in preparing operatives for global terror acts. Notably, Ajmal Kasab and other 26/11 Mumbai attackers received Daura-e-Ribbat (combat training) here. David Headley and Tahawwur Rana, the key planners of the 26/11 attacks, had also visited this site under Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi’s instructions.
Col Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army, while briefing the media in New Delhi, confirmed that Muridke was among the nine terror camps destroyed in the coordinated military operation, alongside Sarjal camp (Sialkot), Markaz Ahle Hadith (Barnala), Markaz Abbas (Kotli), and Mehmoona Joya camp (Sialkot).
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated India’s position that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, left the country with no choice but to act decisively. “Despite two weeks having passed, Pakistan took no steps to dismantle terror infrastructure. Instead, they resorted to denial and blame,” he said.
India’s Ministry of Defence stated the operation involved the Army, Navy, and Air Force working jointly with precision munitions. All targets were carefully chosen to ensure minimal civilian impact, focusing solely on facilities linked to LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reportedly monitoring the operation in real time.
Operation Sindoor marks one of the most extensive Indian cross-border counter-terror strikes since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019.
