In a significant retaliatory move, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This operation, executed in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, comes days after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the killing of 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that nine sites were hit during the mission, emphasizing that the strikes were "focused, measured, and non-escalatory" in nature. The targeted locations were specifically chosen for their role in planning and directing terrorist attacks against Indian soil. The MoD clarified that Pakistani military facilities were not targeted, underscoring India's intention to avoid escalation.
According to reports, the strikes targeted terrorist camps located in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. Witnesses in Muzaffarabad reported hearing multiple explosions followed by a power outage. Bahawalpur is known to be the headquarters of Masood Azhar's Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terror group, suggesting that the operation may have inflicted significant casualties on JeM's members.
The Indian Army signaled the success of the operation with a post on X (formerly Twitter) stating, "Justice is Served. Jai Hind". This message conveyed both closure and resolve, highlighting India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack, which preceded this military action, involved five militants who attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, deliberately targeted non-Muslim tourists, resulting in the death of 26 civilians and injuries to 20 others. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack but later retracted the claim.
The attack drew widespread condemnation and intensified tensions between India and Pakistan. In the aftermath, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed borders. Pakistan retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing airspace.
In light of the heightened tensions, the Union Home Ministry ordered civil defense drills across 244 districts and reviewed civil defense mechanisms. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called for restraint and dialogue between the two countries.
