Mission Accomplished

The elimination of key terror hubs in Pakistan—crippling JeM, LeT, and HM networks in precision strikes under Operation Sindoor—is a milestone in cross-border counterterrorism

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

The May 7 onslaught on the anti-India Islamic terror bases well inside Pakistan (Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur; Markaz Taiba, Muridke; Sarjal; Tehra Kalan; Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot; Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala; Markaz Abbas and Maskar Raheel Shahid, both in Kotli; and Sawai Nalla Camp and Syedna Bilal Camp, both at Muzaffarabad) signifies a complete annihilation of the Pakistan-based terror groups. From the Indian point of view, it was a "Mission Accomplished," as it was intended to hit only the terror strongholds to eliminate the terrorists responsible for the heinous killings of the 26 tourists, including one local pony rider, in Pahalgam (April 22).

The destruction of the terror bastions broke the backbone of Pakistan's terror entities, especially the unholy nexus of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Many of those killed included individuals directly responsible for the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814. The message sent across the border was strong, loud, and clear!

While discussing the complete destruction of terror bases deep inside Pakistan, it is also pertinent to state, with assertion, that this operation was professionally no less than Operation Neptune Spear, conducted by the US Special Forces comprising elite Navy SEALs, which successfully neutralised Al Qaeda supremo Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011. That operation is widely hailed as a classic case of exterminating a global terrorist of bin Laden's stature. However, Operation Sindoor, which eliminated terrorists and their hideouts on May 7, is no less of an achievement on the part of the Indian bravehearts.