News Arena Network - New Delhi - UPDATED: May 27, 2025, 05:59 PM - 2 min read
Left to Right: Air Marshal AK Bharti, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Maj Gen SS Sharda during a press briefing on 'Operation Sindoor' in New Delhi.
In a strong retaliatory move under Operation Sindoor, the Border Security Force (BSF) announced on Tuesday that it had targeted 76 Pakistani border outposts and 42 forward defence locations (FDLs), in addition to destroying three terror launch pads, following unprovoked firing and heavy shelling by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border (IB) in the Jammu frontier.
The Pakistani assault involved intense shelling and firing on 60 Indian posts and 49 forward positions, allegedly providing cover for an attempted infiltration by 40–50 terrorists, according to officials.
“Pakistan fired on our 60 border outposts and 49 forward defence locations. In response, we opened fire on 76 of their posts and 42 FDLs,” said BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chiterpaul Singh. He added that a key terror launch pad, operated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) near the Sunderbani sector, was among those destroyed. “There is no movement seen from that area now,” he said.
BSF has released a full video of operation Sindoor.
BSF Inspector General (IG) Shashank Anand, who oversees the Jammu Frontier, confirmed that intelligence inputs pointed to several terrorist casualties and damage to multiple launch pads used by groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“A Lashkar-e-Taiba launch pad opposite the ‘chicken neck’ area was neutralised on the night of May 9–10 using a special weapon system,” Anand said. “Three launch pads located in Loni, Mastpur, and Chabbra were completely destroyed. We are still assessing the full extent of the damage. Several Pakistani villages were vacated following the strikes.”
In the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, the BSF, in coordination with the Army, increased troop deployments across vulnerable regions, including Rajouri and Poonch, while reinforcing the forward presence in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua.
Heightened vigil and preemptive actions
DIG Indreshwar disclosed that BSF surveillance systems detected movement of around 40–50 terrorists near Sialkot on the night of May 8. “We launched a preemptive strike in the Samba region to foil their infiltration attempt,” he said. He described the reaction of Pakistan Rangers as unexpected. “They abandoned their posts. They were not prepared for such a strong response. However, we anticipate they may attempt to re-establish their terror infrastructure,” he added.
BSF personnel display weapons during an exhibition organised as part of their preparedness, in Jammu on Tuesday
The following night, a demoralised Pakistan retaliated with shelling in the Akhnoor sector, prompting further BSF countermeasures. “We hit a Lashkar launch pad located just 3 km from the border,” the IG confirmed. DIG Virendra Datta from Sunderbani added that intelligence inputs indicated the presence of 18–20 terrorists preparing for infiltration. “We responded with a strategic mortar offensive and destroyed multiple enemy positions,” he said.
IG Anand praised the courage and resilience of BSF’s women personnel during the offensive. “They had the option to relocate to battalion headquarters but chose to stay at their forward positions. Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari and several women constables showed exceptional bravery by directly engaging enemy fire,” he said.
Anand also confirmed that Pakistan used low-flying drones to carry out targeted strikes. “On the morning of May 10, drones were deployed to attack our posts. One of them dropped a payload on a BSF post, resulting in the martyrdom of two BSF personnel and one Army jawan,” he stated.
In response, the BSF launched a significant counteroffensive, targeting Pakistani bunkers, surveillance systems, and communication towers in the Sialkot region. “To honour our fallen soldiers, we will name two posts after them. One post in Samba will be named ‘Sindoor’,” Anand announced.
DGMO-Level Communication and Continued Vigilance
Addressing media queries about reports of white flags across the border, the IG said, “There has been communication at the DGMO level. No official contact has occurred at the lower level. We are closely monitoring their actions, and any future decisions will depend on their conduct.”
He also highlighted the coordination among various Indian security agencies. “BSF, Army, paramilitary forces, and the Jammu & Kashmir Police are working in close coordination. Intelligence-sharing mechanisms are robust and effective,” he said.
Emphasising BSF’s legacy, the IG recalled the force’s contributions from the 1965 war to Kargil and Operation Parakram. “In Operation Sindoor, our troops—men and women—have stood firm on the front lines, protecting the nation and civilians, while inflicting significant damage on the enemy,” he said. “The BSF has always upheld its legacy of valour. All these acts of bravery are a tribute to the sacrifices of our soldiers,” Anand concluded.
Follow us
