Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror sites across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Air Marshal AK Bharti confirmed the successful execution of the operation, which aimed to decimate terror camps.
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. General Rajiv Ghai stated that over 100 terrorists were killed in the strikes, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed. These individuals were implicated in major attacks against India, including the hijacking of IC-814 and the Pulwama bombing. Yusuf Azhar, also known as Ustad Ji, Mohammad Salim, and Ghosi Sahab, was a key operative of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and brother-in-law of JeM founder Masood Azhar. He was wanted in connection with the 1999 IC-814 hijacking case and was on Interpol's Red Notice list since 2000. Azhar was also responsible for weapons training for JeM and involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdul Malik Rauf was a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and a UN-designated global terrorist. Mudasir Ahmed was also among the high-value targets eliminated.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, conducting operations with "precision and professionalism". Air Marshal AK Bharti affirmed that all IAF pilots returned safely after the strikes. The IAF also said that the operations were conducted in a deliberate and discreet manner, aligned with national objectives.
India reached out to Pakistan's DGMO to communicate its "compulsions at the heart of terror" in the wake of Operation Sindoor. However, this request was declined. Despite a ceasefire agreement, violations occurred, prompting India to urge Pakistan to take responsible action. Lt Gen Ghai sent a "hotline" message to his counterpart about the violations and India's firm intent to respond fiercely if they were repeated.
The operation led to increased tensions between India and Pakistan, with cross-border shelling and airspace violations reported. Pakistan's military launched a wave of drone attacks, which India claimed to have successfully repulsed. India also reported that it struck Pakistani radar installations at Lahore and Gujranwala in response to Pakistan targeting civilians and military infrastructure. The Indian Navy's deployment in the Northern Arabian Sea compelled Pakistani naval and air forces to adopt defensive positions.
During the operation, India lost five soldiers, to whom the army paid homage. The Army also reported that approximately 35 to 40 Pakistani personnel were killed in artillery and small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) between May 7 and May 10.
The strikes targeted nine locations, including Sawai Nalla, Sarjal, Muridke, Kotli, Kotli Gulpur, Mehmoona Joya, Bhimber and Bahawalpur. Detailed missile impact videos from Operation Sindoor were showcased at a joint briefing of the Indian Armed Forces, demonstrating the damage inflicted on the targeted terror camps.
The Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti, noted that while a few Pakistani planes were downed, they were prevented from entering Indian airspace. He stated that the Air Force achieved its objectives.
