Operation Sindoor | The nine terror camps that India destroyed

New Delhi: Barring the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur, all the nine terror camps that Indian armed forces struck in the early hours of Wednesday across Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are close to the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border, officials said here on Wednesday.

Out of 21 terror camps on the radar of Indian security agencies, only nine were targeted because of their prominence and repeated use to train terrorists while launching major strikes inside India. The camps include those where Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab received his training and were frequented by David Coleman Headley, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and Masood Azhar.

The following is the details of these camps that sit at the core of Pakistan’s terror network:

Markaz Subhan, Bahawalpur, Pakistan: Located around 100 km from IB, it was the JeM headquarters, used for recruitment, training, and indoctrination of JeM terrorists. The facility was frequently visited by the terrorist commanders including Masood Azhar, who issued directions to their cadre from this camp.

Markaz Taiba, Muridke, Pakistan: Nearly 25 km from the IB, it was the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba led by Hafiz Syed. Terrorists trained here have been associated with a number of terror attacks, including the 26/11 one. Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist captured alive in the 2008 Mumbai attack confessed of having received training here. David Coleman Headley, one of the masterminds of 26/11, also received training at this camp.

Mehmoona Joya Sialkot, Pakistan: This was a key training facility of Hizbul Mujahideen, located close to 12 km from the IB. The camp was used as the control centre in revival of terrorism in Kathua and Jammu regions. Major terrorist attacks including the attack on Pathankot Air Force base were planned and executed from this camp.

Sarjal Camp, Sialkot, Pakistan: It is located about six km from the IB opposite Samba-Kathua. The terrorists who killed four personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police in March 2025 were trained here and launched the operation from this camp.

Sawai Nala Camp, Muzaffarabad, POJK: Nearly 30 km from the LoC in Tangdhar sector, it was a key LeT training facility. The attack on civilians and security forces in Sonmarg on Oct 20 & 24 last year, and the Pahalgam attack on April 22 were carried out by this terror module, which originated at Sawai Nala.

Syedna Belal Camp, Muzaffarabad, POJK: A JeM camp, this was used as a staging area besides training terrorists in weapons, explosives and jungle-cum-survival techniques to undertake terrorist activities across the LoC.

Gulpur Camp, Kotli, POJK: Located 30 km from the LoC, it was the base for LeT terrorists operating in Rajouri-Poonch. Attacks in Poonch on April 20, 2023 and attacks on innocent pilgrims travelling in a bus on June 9, 2024 were conducted by terrorists trained in Gulpur. Inputs confirm that Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the 26/11 mastermind, frequently visited this camp for indoctrination and motivational speeches.

Abbas Camp, Kotli, PoJK: Nearly 13 km from the LoC opposite Rajauri, it was known as the nerve centre for training of suicide bombers of the LeT. The camp had training infrastructure for 50 terrorists.

Barnala Camp, Bhimber, PoJK: Located 9 km from the LoC opposite Rajauri-Poonch sector, it was used for providing training to terrorists in weapon handling, IED marking and jungle survival techniques.