In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor," conducting precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation, a response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen, marks the first time since the 1971 war that all three defense services – Army, Navy, and Air Force – have jointly engaged against Pakistan.
The strikes, which occurred around 1:44 AM, targeted terrorist infrastructure in areas including Muridke and Bahawalpur, known strongholds of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, respectively. The Ministry of Defence stated that the operation was "focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature," emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. This demonstrated India's commitment to holding those responsible for the Pahalgam attack accountable, while also exercising restraint in its response.
Government sources have confirmed that all nine targets were successfully neutralized. The strikes involved the use of loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly monitoring Operation Sindoor closely.
In the wake of the strikes, Pakistan's army initiated heavy mortar shelling on forward villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. A woman and her daughter were reported injured in Poonch district due to the shelling. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes, referring to them as an "act of war". However, government sources in India have refuted claims of any Indian jets being lost during the operation, dismissing reports from Pakistani defense officials.
The operation has led to the suspension of commercial flights in several northern Indian airports, including Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, and Amritsar. IndiGo and Air India have announced cancellations and advised passengers to check their flight status.
The United Nations Security Council convened for closed-door consultations to discuss the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, with envoys urging de-escalation and dialogue. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US is closely monitoring the situation.
