In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India launched "Operation Sindoor," a series of targeted military strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This operation is a response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, including tourists. The operation, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeted nine key terror infrastructure sites.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the strikes were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted. The targeted terror camps are linked to banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. According to government sources, 70 terrorists, including commanders, were killed in the strikes. The operation involved 24 precision missile strikes and was completed in under an hour. UAV surveillance confirmed the destruction of the targeted facilities.
The strikes are a response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists attacked tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned the attack, highlighting the barbarity of the terrorists who shot tourists in the head in front of their families. The Pahalgam attack aimed to undermine the normalcy returning to Jammu and Kashmir.
"Operation Sindoor" marks a shift in India's approach to cross-border terrorism. Unlike previous operations focused on targets near the Line of Control (LoC), this operation penetrated deeper into Pakistani-administered areas. This suggests a new level of strategic assertiveness from New Delhi, signaling that cross-border terrorism will no longer be tolerated.
The operation has drawn reactions from both domestic and international sources. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann praised the Indian Army. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister hailed the Indian Army. The United Nations Secretary-General expressed concern and called for maximum military restraint from both countries. Pakistan's Army said that India launched air strikes and vowed to respond. Pakistan also reported casualties, stating that at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in the attacks and firing along the border. India, in turn, reported casualties due to Pakistani shelling.
"Operation Sindoor" follows a series of terror attacks in India, including Akshardham, Uri, and Pulwama. In response to the 2016 Uri attack, India conducted surgical strikes. After the 2019 Pulwama attack, India carried out cross-LoC aerial strikes. "Operation Sindoor" is the latest demonstration of India's commitment to retaliating against terrorist attacks. The government has flagged a fabricated advisory circulating after "Operation Sindoor" and urged caution.
