SHIMLA/DEHRADUN/ SRINAGAR/LEH: Here are the details of Operation Abhyaas mock drills scheduled for May 7, 2025, in the northern states and union territories of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir:
🏔️ Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: The mock drill will commence at 4:00 PM at two locations: the Deputy Commissioner's Office and the Sanjauli parking lot. A 10-minute blackout is scheduled from 7:20 PM to 7:30 PM.
Statewide: Following Shimla's drill, similar exercises will be conducted in other districts in a phased manner.
🏞️ Uttarakhand
Statewide: While specific details for Uttarakhand are not explicitly mentioned in the available sources, Operation Abhyaas encompasses 244 districts nationwide, implying participation from various districts within the state.
🏔️ Ladakh
Regionwide: Mock drills will be conducted at 20 locations across Ladakh, starting at 4:00 PM. The exercises will include the sounding of sirens to test emergency response systems.
🏔️ Jammu & Kashmir
Regionwide: Similar to Ladakh, 20 locations in Jammu & Kashmir will participate in the mock drills beginning at 4:00 PM. Sirens will be activated as part of the emergency preparedness exercises.
🔔 Public Advisory
Residents are advised to remain calm during the drills and cooperate with authorities. These exercises are crucial for assessing and enhancing the region's emergency response capabilities.
RECAP:
In a swift and strategic response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead, including a Nepalese national, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting and demolishing multiple terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).
Precision strikes were carried out on Tuesday night, hitting terrorist infrastructure linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba-backed outfit The Resistance Front (TRF).
In media briefing by Army spokesperson briefing in new Delhi confirmed that the operation was “non-escalatory but decisive,” aimed at dismantling camps that were actively used to train and launch militants into Indian territory.
“The terror infrastructure responsible for the Pahalgam attack has been neutralized. Intelligence confirmed links to TRF, which is a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba,” said an Army media briefing by Vikram Misri Commander Vyomika, Col Sofia Quershi in New Delhi.
🎯 List of Terror Camps Targeted
Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur – Headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), known for orchestrating major attacks including the Pulwama bombing.
Markaz Taiba, Muridke – Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) main base, linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad – A key training facility for LeT operatives.
Gulpur Camp, PoK – Used for militant infiltration and logistics.
Bhimber Camp, PoK – Associated with Hizbul Mujahideen activities.
Chak Amru Camp, Punjab – Known for training suicide bombers.
Bagh Camp, PoK – A launchpad for cross-border operations.
Kotli Camp, PoK – A hub for radical indoctrination and tactical training.
Sialkot Camp, Punjab – A logistical base for arms and ammunition supply.
These sites were selected based on intelligence inputs indicating their involvement in planning and executing terrorist activities against India. The operation aimed to dismantle the infrastructure supporting groups like JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The Indian Air Force utilized Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions to carry out the strikes without crossing into Pakistani airspace.
Pakistan reported civilian casualties and claimed to have shot down several Indian jets, though India has not confirmed these losses.
International reactions have been mixed, with calls for restraint from global leaders to prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The operation underscores India's resolve to counter terrorism and protect its citizens from cross-border threats.
Indian jets and drones were deployed for the overnight operation, which reportedly struck terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and other border sectors.
High-value targets, including a key JeM commander believed to be behind the Pahalgam attack, were neutralized, according to military sources.
Surveillance footage and satellite imagery were reportedly used to confirm hits on the camps.
There has been no official reaction yet from the Pakistan military or government.
Official Confirmation & Political Reactions: Government sources said the decision for the strikes was taken after conclusive intelligence proved the camps were gearing up for another series of attacks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted a cryptic message on X : “Every drop of blood spilled will be avenged. This is New India.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with the armed forces and NSA Ajit Doval following the operation.
Why 'Sindoor'?
The operation's name—‘Sindoor’—symbolizes a red mark of sacrifice and valor, a tribute to the male civilians and soldiers lost in terror attacks. It reflects India's resolve to hit back with precision and purpose, say insiders.
Nation on Alert As a precautionary measure, all border forces remain on high alert. Major cities, airports, and railway stations are being monitored closely for any retaliatory actions.
This is one of the largest cross-border military actions since the Balakot airstrikes of 2019.
The Pahalgam Massacre: A Targeted Carnage
The attack in Pahalgam on April 22 was described by officials as one of the most barbaric acts in recent memory.
Terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists, shooting several victims in the head at point-blank range and in front of family members. According to officials, this was a deliberate attempt to derail peace efforts in Jammu and Kashmir and sabotage the revival of tourism, which has been gaining momentum in recent years.
“This is the largest civilian casualty in a terror attack on Indian soil since 26/11. The aim was clear — to push Kashmir back into fear and violence, and keep development at bay,” said a senior government source.
Pakistan’s Shadow in the Attack
The Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility, has been flagged by Indian intelligence and reported to the UN Sanctions Monitoring Team multiple times, including in May and November 2024. India had submitted concrete evidence linking TRF to LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed. In a disturbing echo of the past, the Army reiterated that the attack bore the hallmarks of Pakistan’s long-standing cross-border terror strategy.
Sources also highlighted the case of Sajid Mir, a 26/11 accused, whom Pakistan declared dead to mislead the world — only for him to be found alive under international scrutiny. “This is yet another example of Pakistan's duplicity on terrorism,” said an official familiar with the case.
Supreme Court, PM Modi Call for Justice
The Supreme Court of India also issued strong remarks, urging that “organisers, sponsors, financiers, and perpetrators of such heinous acts must be brought to justice under international law.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an emotionally charged statement, vowed retribution. “Our 130 crore citizens will never forget this massacre. Every drop of blood shed by our people will be avenged. We have full faith in the valor of our forces. Those behind the Pahalgam attack will not be spared,” he said.
He also called for global unity in fighting terror: “Pakistan, despite being in economic turmoil, believes it can destabilize India with such cowardly acts. But time and again, we’ve proven — India won’t bow. We will keep progressing, and we will crush terrorism at its roots.”
