India’s Strategic Message After Targeting Terror Camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur
On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of airstrikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including the towns of Muridke and Bahawalpur. These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 26 Hindu tourists. The targeted sites were reportedly linked to the militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both of which are allegedly supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency .
Key Messages Conveyed by India
- Targeting the Heart of Terrorism-By striking at the core infrastructure of JeM and LeT, India signaled a shift from previous strategies that focused on peripheral targets. The operations in Muridke and Bahawalpur were not aimed at small camps but at the headquarters of these groups, indicating India’s intent to dismantle the root causes of cross-border terrorism .
- End of Strategic Restraint
India’s actions marked the end of a decade-long policy of strategic restraint. Unlike the response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where international pressure led to non-retaliation, India demonstrated a willingness to take decisive action against those responsible for terrorism, irrespective of international diplomatic concerns . - Message to Pakistan and the World
The operation conveyed to Pakistan that India would no longer tolerate the use of its territory or territories under its control for launching terrorist activities against India. It also sent a message to the international community that India would exercise its right to self-defense as per international law, irrespective of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities .
International Reaction
The strikes elicited strong reactions globally. Pakistan condemned the attacks as “cowardly” and vowed retaliation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan reserved the right to respond “at the time and place of our own choosing” . International leaders, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia, called for restraint and emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation .
Conclusion
India’s airstrikes on Muridke and Bahawalpur were a clear message that it would no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism and would target the core infrastructure of militant groups. The operation marked a significant shift in India’s defense policy, emphasizing proactive measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security.
