US Embassy advises citizens to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir

In a security alert issued on Wednesday, the US Embassy in India stated, "As advised in the India Travel Advisory, U.S. citizens should avoid travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As stated in the April 23, 2025 Security Alert, US government personnel are prohibited from traveling to Jammu and Kashmir."

The US Embassy asked Americans to monitor social media for updates and enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates. It noted that there are flight disruptions across India.

The US Embassy advised US citizens to inform their friends and family of their safety. It asked US citizens to review their personal security plan and ensure their passport is valid for travel. In the statement, the US Embassy said that the Embassy and all Consulates remain open for regular business.

Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday carried out precision strikes at the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (Pojk) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others.

The Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday shared details about Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike mission to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK

Addressing a press briefing in Delhi on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh outlined the objectives of the operation and provided details on destroyed terrorist camps. Four of the nine targeted terrorist camps are in Pakistan and the remaining in PoJK.

The operation, executed by the Indian Armed Forces, dismantled terror infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. Colonel Qureshi detailed the targeted camps, stating that the four terrorist camps destroyed in Pakistan are Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Joya.

The strikes, conducted between 1:05 am and 1:30 am early on Wednesday, were a coordinated effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and PoJK based on credible intelligence.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh elaborated on the operation's strategic intent, stating, "'Operation Sindoor' was a retaliation to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 to serve justice to the innocent victims and their families."

She revealed that Pakistan has maintained a complex terror infrastructure for three decades, comprising 21 recruitment, indoctrination, and launch pad centres across Pakistan and PoJK.

Emphasising the operation's precision, Colonel Qureshi clarified, "No military installation was targeted, and till now there are no reports of civilian casualties in Pakistan." (ANI)