In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen, India launched a retaliatory military operation named "Operation Sindoor". The operation, executed in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, involved precision missile strikes on nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Targets and Objectives
The Indian Armed Forces targeted key strongholds of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The targeted sites included:
The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, eliminate key leaders of terror organizations responsible for planning and executing attacks in India, and deter further cross-border terrorism. India's Ministry of Defence stated that the actions were "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," with no Pakistani military facilities targeted. The intent was to hold perpetrators accountable while avoiding unnecessary provocation.
Impact and Reactions
Indian sources reported that over 70 terrorists were killed and over 60 wounded in the strikes, significantly degrading the operational capability of these outfits. The Indian Army's official handle on X posted "Justice is served. Jai Hind!". Families of the Pahalgam attack victims hailed the swift retaliation.
Pakistan, however, condemned the strikes as an "unprovoked and blatant act of war" and claimed that at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted his country's right to respond. There were also reports of Pakistan resorting to cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.
International Response
The strikes have led to heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The international community has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation through dialogue. Russia has offered to mediate the crisis.
Analysis
Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India's approach to cross-border terrorism. Unlike previous responses, this operation involved multiple targets deep inside Pakistani territory. Security analysts have noted that India has crossed significant thresholds, striking multiple sites and targeting Pakistan's heartland. The operation also showcased India's use of sophisticated precision munitions and a "zero intrusion strategy," minimizing airspace breach and escalation risk.
The path forward remains uncertain, with the international community closely watching to prevent further escalation.
