Jammu. After ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan has transferred more than 72 ‘launchpads’ to the interior areas ready to push terrorists into the Indian border. A senior officer of the Border Security Force (BSF) gave this information on Saturday. He said that if the government decides to launch the second edition of the cross-border operation ‘Operation Sindoor’, the force is prepared to inflict heavy losses on the enemy. Officials, however, said the BSF was honoring the agreement to halt military operations for four days from May 7-10.
BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vikram Kunwar told reporters, “Many terrorist launchpads along the border were destroyed by the BSF during Operation Sindoor after which the Pakistan government has shifted such centers to the hinterland… About 12 launchpads are functioning in Sialkot and Zafarwal, which are not actually on the border.” “Similarly, 60 launchpads are active in other interior areas away from the border,” he said.
Kunwar addressed a joint press conference with BSF Jammu Frontier Inspector General (IG), Shashank Anand and DIG Kulwant Rai Sharma, organized to highlight the achievements of the force in 2025. During this, he briefed about the force’s role in Operation Sindoor, which was India’s military response to the cross-border Pahalgam massacre on 22 April. 26 people lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack.
The officer said that along with these launchpads, the number of terrorists present in them also keeps changing. DIG Kunwar said, “They do not stay there permanently. These launchpads usually become active when terrorists have to be pushed (into India)… They are not kept in groups of more than two or three.” He said that at present there are no training camps in the areas near the international border.
The official said that reports generally say that deployment has been made at the launchpad, which is an indication that the terrorists have been trained before being taken to other areas. DIG Kunwar said, “Earlier, there were designated areas and usually Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were active in the lower areas while Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists operated in the upper areas. After Operation Sindoor, they have formed a mixed group so that they can jointly take training in the mixed group.”
Inspector General (IG) Anand said the BSF is ready to follow government orders if the government decides to restart Operation Sindoor. He said, “If we talk about Kargil war of 1965, 1971, 1999 or Operation Sindoor, BSF has good experience in all types of wars, be it conventional war or hybrid war. We are ready.”
Anand said, “If we get a chance, we are capable of causing more damage than what we did in May. Whatever policy the government decides, BSF will play its role in it.” When asked about Pakistani Rangers fleeing from their posts during Operation Sindoor, the IG said that once the situation becomes normal, it is important that everyone returns to their respective posts.
The IG said, “It took them a long time to recover from the damage caused by BSF. At some places they have tried to strengthen their security arrangements. But all their activities are under our surveillance.” He said that BSF is making its plans according to the changing circumstances and when we get a chance, we will take appropriate action. The officer said, “At present there is no movement of terrorists on the border which gives rise to concern.”
