Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, a precise military strike targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, executed between 1:04 am and 1:30 am, struck nine terrorist camps, including key installations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headquarters in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) base in Bahawalpur. The government has stated that 'Operation Sindoor' was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack.
The operation, a joint effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, was based on solid intelligence reports. The targeted camps were linked to terrorist groups like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen. According to the armed forces, the strikes were focused, measured, and non-escalatory and were carried out successfully at nine locations.
In the wake of "Operation Sindoor," India has garnered significant international support, with many countries backing its right to self-defense against terrorism. Western allies, including the UK, France, and the US, have firmly supported India's actions. France and Israel have also shown strong solidarity.
The UK's Foreign Minister stated that India is right to feel outrage at the attack on April 22nd and called upon Pakistan to increase its efforts to tackle the terror threat within its borders. UK MP Rishi Sunak has supported the Indian attack on terrorist infrastructure, asserting that no nation should accept terrorist attacks launched against it from another country. UK MP Priti Patel also backed the attack, stating that India has the right to take reasonable steps to defend itself and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure that threatens it. The French Foreign Minister expressed understanding about India's desire to protect itself from terrorism. The French Foreign Office condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed its full solidarity with India. Geert Wilders, a Dutch Member of Parliament, tweeted that Kashmir is "100% Indian" and used the hashtag #PakistanBehindPahalgam, showing full support for India.
While countries like the United States, Japan, the UAE, and the UN have called for restraint and dialogue, Israel has firmly backed India's right to self-defence. In contrast, China has condemned the strikes and urged both sides to remain calm. India, however, maintains that the responsibility for de-escalation lies with Pakistan, citing its role in fostering terrorism.
Left parties in India have also extended their support to the government over "Operation Sindoor," while stressing the need for continued pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure and pursue diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) stated that all political parties in the all-party meeting convened by the Union Government had extended support to the measures taken by the Union Government aimed against the terrorists and their handlers. The Communist Party of India (CPI) stated that, given the grave provocation and loss of innocent lives, India had little choice but to respond firmly against the sources of such terrorism.
