The Border Security Force (BSF) in Jammu has delivered a decisive blow to cross-border terrorism, destroying a terrorist launch pad in Looni, Sialkot district, Pakistan, near the International Border, in a precision strike early Saturday morning. The operation, part of India’s ongoing response to escalating tensions with Pakistan, targeted a key facility used for launching tube-launched drones and coordinating militant infiltrations into Indian territory, according to defense sources.
The strike follows a series of aggressive Pakistani drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian sites, including Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, as part of the broader conflict sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Indian authorities identified the Looni launch pad, located approximately 6-12 km from the border, as a critical hub operated by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, responsible for recent drone incursions and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Acting on precise intelligence, BSF Jammu, in coordination with the Indian Army, neutralized the terrorist infrastructure in Looni, Sialkot, which was actively used to launch drones and facilitate infiltration,” a senior BSF official stated. The operation involved advanced counter-drone technology and artillery fire, ensuring no collateral damage to civilian areas, the official added. Posts on X celebrated the strike, with users like @AdityaRajKaul and @SikkimMedia hailing it as “yet another nail in the coffin of Pakistan” and a “precision strike eliminating a major threat.”
Pakistan’s military has not officially commented on the Looni strike, but state media earlier claimed that Indian attacks targeted civilian areas, a charge India refutes. The destruction of the launch pad comes amid India’s broader Operation Sindoor, which has seen strikes on nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including facilities in Sialkot’s Sarjal and Mehmoona Joya camps, linked to JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The BSF’s action follows its successful thwarting of a major infiltration bid in Jammu’s Samba district on May 8, where alert personnel neutralized a group of Pakistani militants attempting to cross the border. The Looni strike is seen as a direct response to Pakistan’s persistent use of drone technology to drop arms, ammunition, and narcotics, as well as to facilitate terrorist crossings, with Sialkot’s proximity to the border making it a hotspot for such activities.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing the UN Security Council, reiterated that India’s actions are “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeting only terrorist infrastructure. However, Pakistan’s convening of its National Command Authority, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has raised global concerns about nuclear escalation, with Sharif labeling Indian strikes “cowardly.” The G7 and UN have called for restraint, warning of a “nuclear flashpoint.”
On the ground, Jammu remains on high alert, with surface-to-air missile systems activated and civilian flight operations suspended at 32 airports, including Jammu and Srinagar. Residents in border areas reported hearing explosions, with authorities enforcing blackouts and urging people to stay indoors. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned Pakistan’s actions, criticizing the International Monetary Fund for disbursing funds to Pakistan amid the conflict, which he claimed fuels its military aggression.
The destruction of the Looni launch pad marks a significant setback for Pakistan-based terrorist networks, but analysts warn that the tit-for-tat strikes risk further escalation. “India’s precision strikes are effective, but Pakistan’s nuclear signaling is a dangerous wildcard,” said a New Delhi-based security expert. As both nations remain locked in a volatile standoff, the international community continues to press for dialogue to prevent a broader regional conflict.
