Pakistan army relocates terrorists from PoK launch pads: Intel sources

In a major development following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Pakistan Army has started vacating multiple terror launch pads across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and shifting terrorists into fortified shelters and bunkers, intelligence sources revealed on Monday.

The move comes after Indian security agencies identified 42 active launch pads across PoK, raising alarms over the possibility of fresh infiltration bids and terror strikes. Intelligence inputs suggest that militant groups are being repositioned from key areas such as Kel, Sardi, Dudhnial, Athmuqam, Jura, Lipa, Pachhiban, Forward Kahuta, Kotli, Khuiratta, Mandhar, Nikail, Chamankot, and Jankote.

These locations have long served as primary bases for terrorists preparing to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into Jammu and Kashmir. Shifting the militants into bunkers indicates Pakistan’s attempt to protect its terror infrastructure against potential Indian strikes.

Tensions escalated sharply after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 people, mostly tourists, were brutally killed. The attackers, believed to be from The Resistance Front (TRF), reportedly targeted victims based on their religion, triggering nationwide outrage and demands for strong retaliatory measures.

According to intelligence reports, an estimated 150 to 200 terrorists are currently positioned across various camps in PoK, with around 60 foreign fighters from groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba actively operating within Jammu and Kashmir, along with 17 local militants.

The Pakistani Army’s desperate repositioning reflects its fear of Indian retaliation and highlights the ongoing threat posed by terror groups operating with impunity across the LoC, even as diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours continue to simmer.