In response to the recent barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali citizen, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor" targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, executed in the early hours of May 7, 2025, struck a total of nine sites.
The Indian Army, in a statement released at 1:44 am, characterized the strikes as a retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. Top Indian officials revealed that the armed forces utilized beyond-visual-range and standoff weapons, including standoff cruise missiles, to carry out the operation. The targets included the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammad headquarters in Bahawalpur.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) emphasized that the actions were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted. According to the MoD, India demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the method of execution. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack, with the government stating its commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
Following the strikes, the Indian Army posted "Justice is served" on social media platform X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reacted to Operation Sindoor with a post on X.
Pakistan has reacted to the strikes, vowing to retaliate at a time and place of its own choosing. According to the Indian Army, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) with heavy artillery fire, prompting a calibrated response from the Indian armed forces. Amidst rising tensions, the Indian Air Force is conducting a two-day mega military exercise along the border with Pakistan, involving frontline fighter jets like Rafale, Su-30, and Jaguar aircraft.
In response to the situation, civil aviation authorities in India have issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the major air exercise along the Indo-Pakistan border. Meanwhile, a Pakistani intruder was arrested along the LoC in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.