15 months on, Jaish rebuilds Bahawalpur base hit by India during Op Sindoor

The reconstruction of Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) Markaz Subhan Allah headquarters in Pakistan's Bahawalpur, which was extensively damaged in India's Operation Sindoor strikes in May last year, has been completed, exclusive visuals accessed by India Today TV show.The camp located in Punjab province has been restored with new marble, fresh paint and plaster, while the damaged domes have also been rebuilt. Impact craters in the central hall have been filled and the structure refurbished, effectively concealing the damage caused by the Indian strikes.According to intelligence inputs, the Pakistani establishment provided PKR 25 crore in cash instalments to JeM for the restoration, with around PKR 11 crore spent specifically on rebuilding the central hall. Damaged structures adjoining the main complex, including the Madrasa Al-Sabir and residential quarters used by JeM commanders, have also been cleared, with new construction coming up at the site.The reconstruction came 15 months after Operation Sindoor, during which the Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, 2025. The strikes followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. The latest restoration marks a significant development from April this year, when satellite imagery reviewed by India Today TV showed heavy machinery and construction vehicles at the compound and repair work underway on its damaged domes.High-resolution satellite imagery reviewed by India Today TV in May had shown the damaged domes appearing in a darker shade, indicating fresh cement work, while heavy machinery was being used to clear debris from the complex. A geo-intelligence researcher cited by India Today said the activity suggested an effort to restore the facility to operational status. The latest visuals show that the restoration has now progressed substantially beyond the stage documented in those satellite images, with the damaged structures refurbished and the complex once again appearing functional. The reconstruction comes despite JeM being a banned terrorist organisation and follows earlier reports of fundraising efforts linked to the group to rebuild parts of the Subhan Allah compound.The Markaz Subhan Allah, located around 100 km from the International Border (IB), was a key JeM facility used for the recruitment, training and indoctrination of its cadres. The 18-acre complex, also known as the Usman-o-Ali campus, also housed a mosque and other facilities.The Bahawalpur camp has long been associated with JeM's activities against India. The terror group has been linked to several major attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. The Pulwama attack was also believed to have been planned at the Subhan Allah camp.JeM founder Masood Azhar's relatives were among those killed in India's May 7 strike on the facility. The group had said 10 of Azhar's relatives were among 13 people killed in the attack.Notably, the base is located around 400 km southwest of Lahore and lies close to a Pakistan Army cantonment that houses the headquarters of the army's 31 Corps.JeM was banned by Pakistan in 2002, but the group has continued to operate from the country. Azhar and other senior JeM leaders have continued to remain in Pakistan under state protection.- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 23, 2026 15:01 IST