Operation Sindoor, India's response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, has significantly altered the security narrative between India and Pakistan. The operation, launched on May 7, 2025, involved precision strikes targeting nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), linked to banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The Indian response was carefully calibrated to avoid civilian casualties and prevent escalation. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that the strikes were planned to be non-escalatory, with locations selected to avoid damage to civilian infrastructure and loss of civilian lives. High-resolution satellite images of the targeted locations, including terror camps, ammunition dumps, and training facilities, were presented to demonstrate that the operation was based on solid intelligence. India's use of high-precision weapons ensured minimal collateral damage while delivering maximum impact, with each target neutralized with "clinical efficiency".
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the precision, purpose, and zero tolerance that defined the operation. The Pahalgam attack, marked by extreme barbarity, aimed to undermine the normalization of Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi's intelligence suggested more attacks by Pakistan were impending, necessitating a preemptive and deterrent response.
The Indian Army reported that over 100 terrorists were killed during Operation Sindoor, including high-value targets involved in the IC814 hijack and the Pulwama blast. The Pakistan Army reportedly lost approximately 35 to 40 personnel in artillery and small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) between May 7 and May 10. India also lost 5 soldiers in the operation, paying homage to their sacrifices.
Despite claims of US mediation, Pakistan reached out to India's military leadership to halt hostilities. On May 10, 2025, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire "understanding" to stop all military actions on land, sea, and air with immediate effect. However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that Operation Sindoor was still ongoing, having successfully executed its assigned tasks with precision and professionalism, aligned with national objectives. The IAF urged all to refrain from speculation and dissemination of unverified information, stating that a detailed briefing would be conducted in due course.
Sources indicate that "Operation Sindoor remains active, signifying a new reality that the world and Pakistan must acknowledge". This suggests a shift in India's approach, demanding Pakistan's acceptance of the new status quo, with normal relations not resuming until this is acknowledged. India has conveyed a firm position on Kashmir, stating that the only matter left to discuss is the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The UK has shown support for India's actions, with UK Conservative MP Bob Blackman stating that the strikes were "justified" and that India has every right to retaliate after the Pahalgam attack. He urged the UK government to stand firmly with India against terror.
Operation Sindoor has reshaped the security narrative across the India-Pakistan border, with India setting new rules of engagement. The operation dismantled key terror infrastructure and prompted a desperate Pakistani appeal for a ceasefire. The Indian military produced satellite images confirming damage to Pakistani military bases, including runways and air defense radars.
