1st military strike in Pak Punjab since 1971

When the Indian military struck at several locations across Pakistan early on Wednesday, it was for the first time since the 1971 war that the armed forces had targeted sites in Punjab province of the neighbouring country.

This is significant because earlier strikes or skirmishes, including the Kargil conflict, did not inflict any damage to the Pakistan side of Punjab – the heartland of the country.

The Pakistan military and the ruling class largely hail from the province.

Political and military heartland of pakistan

  • Previous conflicts — Kargil 1999, surgical strikes 2016, Balakot 2019 — were restricted to regions like PoK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Punjab is Pakistan’s political and military heartland, making the strike by the Indian armed forces strategically notable
  • Among the nine camps hit, four were in the province, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur

In 1999, the Kargil conflict was restricted largely to the Ladakh region, around an axis of 168 km near Drass and Kargil. In 2016, the surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack were conducted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

After the terror attack at Pulwama in 2019, the airstrikes were limited to Balakot, which falls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Reacting to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 persons, the military targeted sites in the heart of Pakistan after 54 years.

In all, four of the nine camps targeted by the military are in Punjab, Pakistan. These are Sarjal camp, Sialkot, which is located about six kilometre from the International Border opposite Samba-Kathua; Mehmoona Joya camp, Sialkot, located around 12 km from the IB near Sialkot; Markaz Taiba, Muridke, which is around 25 km from the IB; and Markaz Subhan camp, Bahawalpur, located around 100 km from the IB was the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). This camp was used for recruitment, training and indoctrinating JeM terrorists. The facility was frequently visited by terrorist commanders, including Masood Azhar, who issued directions to cadre from the camp.

India Retaliates

Picture abhi baki hai, warns Gen Naravane

New Delhi: Former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane issued a cryptic statement on Wednesday, “Abhi picture baki hai" (The picture is still incomplete)", hours after India carried out targeted airstrikes inside Pakistan. His post on X sparked intense speculation, hinting that “Operation Sindoor" may not be over yet. Naravane’s statement suggests that the military action could be the beginning of a broader strategy to counter terrorism emanating from across the border. Defence experts echoed his sentiment, calling for sustained pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror networks operating from its territory. TNS

25 flight routes from Indian airspace to Pak shut

Mumbai: India on Wednesday closed nearly 25 flight routes that allow planes to enter Pakistan through the Indian airspace until further notice, according to officials. Against the backdrop of rising tensions, many foreign airlines have been avoiding the Pakistan airspace. Officials said the closure would also mean that foreign carriers that were overflying Pakistan airspace after exiting the Indian airspace would have to take longer routes to their destinations, they said. PTI

Traders create war rooms for free ration, drugs

Jammu: As panic buying gripped parts of Jammu amid heightened tensions along the border, the Jammu Traders’ Federation on Wednesday appealed for calm, assuring the public that there is no shortage of essential supplies. The federation announced reactivation of “war rooms” to distribute free ration and medicines to border residents. “People are buying in panic due to fear (of war), but there is no need to worry. We have enough ration to last three months,” said president of the Jammu Traders’ Federation Deepak Gupta. PTI

Advisory on sharing security content online

Jammu: The J&K Police on Wednesday warned people against sharing any content related to security deployment, operational movements or sensitive locations on social media platforms from here. “All citizens of district Jammu are strictly advised not to share, upload, or circulate any content related to security deployments, operational movements or sensitive locations on social media or any other public platforms. Such actions pose a serious threat to public safety and national security, and will attract strict legal action,” the police said. PTI

Air India deplanes passenger amid alert

Bengaluru: Amid tight security, a passenger was deboarded from an Air India flight at Kempegowda International Airport here on Wednesday evening. The passenger was travelling on flight AI-2820 from Bengaluru to New Delhi. Before the flight could take off, the passenger was offloaded due to security-related concerns. An official said: “We are aware of the incident but will not share any details.” PTI

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