In the wake of India's "Operation Sindoor," a series of precision missile strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the international community has reacted with a mix of concern, calls for restraint, and expressions of support for India's right to self-defense. The operation, executed in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, was a direct response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.

Operation Details

Indian armed forces launched 24 precision missile strikes on nine terror targets, including strongholds of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Muridke and Bahawalpur. Indian authorities reported that the strikes significantly degraded the operational capability of these outfits, with over 70 terrorists killed and 60 wounded. JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar claimed that 10 members of his family and four of his aides were among those killed. The Ministry of Defence stated the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure used to plan and direct attacks against India. Col. Sofiya Qureshi said the operation, conducted between 1:05 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., completely destroyed the targeted terror camps. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that the selection of targets was based on intelligence reports and designed to avoid damage to civilian infrastructure and loss of civilian lives. Loitering munitions, also known as 'suicide drones,' were deployed for precision strikes.

Global Reactions

• United States: U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the situation, stating, "It's a shame, we just heard about it... They've been fighting for a long time". He hoped for a quick end to the hostilities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was closely monitoring the situation and would engage both countries towards a peaceful resolution.
• United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern and called for maximum military restraint from both India and Pakistan, emphasizing that "the world cannot afford a military confrontation".
• Israel: Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, voiced strong support for India's right to self-defense, stating, "Terrorists should know there's no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent".
• China: China urged both India and Pakistan to prioritize peace and stability, remain calm, and avoid actions that further complicate the situation.
• United Arab Emirates: The UAE called on both countries to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.
• Russia: Russia called for de-escalation and urged both parties to show restraint to prevent further deterioration in the region.
• France: France condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed full solidarity with India, supporting India's fight against terrorist groups and calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians.
• Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing solidarity and offering condolences for the lives lost, backing Pakistan's call for an impartial international probe into the Pahalgam attack and pledging Turkey's support to ease tensions.

Aftermath and Analysis

Following India's strikes, Pakistan retaliated by shelling civilian villages along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in casualties. The Indian Army responded, and border security forces were placed on high alert. India's Ministry of Defence emphasized that its actions were "focused, measured, and non-escalatory" and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. Experts have noted that Operation Sindoor is a more assertive response compared to previous actions like the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, penetrating deeper into Pakistani territory and utilizing sophisticated munitions. The operation has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, raising concerns about a wider conflict in the region.