In response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor" striking terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, targeted nine specific locations identified as key centers for planning and executing attacks against India.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has characterized the strikes as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature," emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. This approach, according to the MoD, demonstrates India's commitment to exercising restraint in its response, while also ensuring accountability for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Army reinforced this message by tweeting "Justice is served. Jai Hind!".

Sources indicate that the strikes were a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where terrorists killed 26 civilians at a tourist spot. The attack, the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack, prompted strong condemnation and vows of retaliation from Indian leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to avenge the attack and inflict punishment on those responsible.

While India has not officially disclosed the specific locations targeted in "Operation Sindoor," reports suggest that the strikes may have hit sites in Kotli, Muridke, Bahawalpur and Muzaffarabad. Notably, Muridke is the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Bahawalpur is the base of Jaish-e-Mohammad, both UN-designated terrorist organizations. The strikes occurred hours before a nationwide civil defence mock drill was scheduled to take place across 244 districts in India, aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and public safety.

The operation has triggered a range of reactions, with the Indian Army sharing "Justice is served" on social media. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its statement on the Pahalgam attack, calling it "absurd" for refusing to recognize cross-border linkages. Meanwhile, security drills are being conducted across various states in India.