In a bold and unprecedented move, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, delivering a powerful and precise response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. This meticulously coordinated operation, involving all three branches of the Indian armed forces, has sent a clear message: India will hold those responsible for cross-border terrorism accountable-no matter where they hide.
The aftermath of Operation Sindoor has sparked intense debate within India’s political and strategic circles. Supporters of the government have lauded the operation as a masterstroke, highlighting the careful selection of targets and the avoidance of civilian casualties. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential escalation and the risks of retaliatory attacks from across the border. Security analysts point out that the operation’s success lies not only in its military precision but also in its diplomatic messaging-India has demonstrated its capability to respond forcefully while still adhering to international norms.
The full list of nine sites targeted in Operation Sindoor includes Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad. These locations have long been identified by Indian intelligence as operational and training hubs for Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The strikes were carried out using Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles, which have a range of over 250 kilometers, and HAMMER precision-guided bombs. Indian Navy surveillance assets provided real-time intelligence, ensuring that the operation remained focused exclusively on terrorist infrastructure and avoided any civilian or military installations in Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor: The Trigger and National Outrage
The seeds of Operation Sindoor were sown on April 22, 2025, when a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, left 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali tourist dead. The attack, which targeted a bus carrying tourists and off-duty security personnel, shocked the nation and evoked a wave of grief and anger. Among the victims was Navy Lt Vinay Narwal, whose widow’s image mourning his loss went viral, becoming a symbol of the country’s collective pain and resolve.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, vowing to pursue the perpetrators “to the ends of the earth,” monitored the operation personally through the night. The Defence Ministry, in its official statement, emphasized India’s commitment: “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable”.
Public sentiment across India has been overwhelmingly supportive of the armed forces. Candlelight vigils, tribute marches, and social media campaigns have sprung up in cities and towns nationwide. The hashtag #OperationSindoor trended at number one for over 24 hours, with citizens expressing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack and pride in the nation’s response. Families of the victims, while still grieving, have found some solace in the government’s swift action, believing that justice has begun to be served.
Preliminary intelligence assessments indicate that between 80 and 90 militants were killed in the operation, including several high-ranking commanders of both Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistani authorities, however, reported that six locations were hit, with eight fatalities and 22 injuries, and claimed that some civilian structures were affected. The Indian government has categorically denied these claims, asserting that all targets were verified as active terror camps and that every precaution was taken to prevent collateral damage.
Precision Strikes: How Operation Sindoor Was Executed
Operation Sindoor began at 1:44 am on May 7, 2025, with simultaneous strikes on nine terror-linked sites-four in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot) and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These locations were carefully chosen, being long-standing hubs for terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both of which have been repeatedly implicated in attacks against India.
The operation was a tri-services mission, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. India deployed high-precision, long-range weaponry, including:
-
SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles: Air-launched, with a range exceeding 250 km, capable of deep strikes.
-
HAMMER precision bombs: Designed for pinpoint accuracy against fortified targets.
-
Loitering munitions (Kamikaze drones): Able to hover and strike at the optimal moment, minimizing collateral damage.
The strikes were executed from within Indian airspace, demonstrating both technological prowess and strategic restraint. Notably, no Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure was targeted, underlining India’s intent to avoid escalation and focus solely on terrorist infrastructure.
Internationally, Operation Sindoor has drawn a spectrum of reactions. The United States and several European nations have reiterated their support for India’s right to self-defense, while also urging both countries to avoid further escalation. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has called for restraint and dialogue, emphasizing the importance of regional stability. The operation has also reignited discussions at the United Nations about the need for stronger global action against state-sponsored terrorism.
The Pahalgam terror attack, which served as the catalyst for Operation Sindoor, was the most lethal civilian massacre in Jammu & Kashmir since 2002. The attack resulted in 28 deaths and more than 20 injuries, with victims hailing from at least five different Indian states and one neighboring country. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, the attackers specifically targeted non-Muslim tourists and off-duty security personnel, sparing women and children in a calculated attempt to maximize psychological impact and media attention.
Impact and Aftermath: Tensions, Disruptions, and Global Reactions
The immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor saw significant disruptions, especially in northern India. Civilian flights from Srinagar Airport were suspended, and a nationwide security mock drill was conducted across 244 districts-the largest such exercise since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Viral videos captured massive explosions, thick smoke, and panic in the targeted areas, with civilians in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province witnessing the aftermath of the strikes.
Pakistan responded by placing its air force on high alert and claimed to have downed several Indian aircraft, a claim not independently verified. Islamabad vowed to retaliate “at a time and place of its own choosing,” further heightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The United Nations called for “maximum restraint” from both sides, urging de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further conflict.
On the ground, the Indian armed forces remain on high alert. Intelligence agencies are monitoring potential threats, especially along the Line of Control and international border. The government has issued advisories to citizens in border areas, and additional security forces have been deployed to sensitive regions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs is engaging with foreign diplomats to explain the rationale and limited scope of the strikes, reinforcing India’s commitment to peace and stability.
Strategic Significance: A New Era in India’s Counter-Terror Doctrine
Operation Sindoor marks the most expansive cross-border precision strike by India since the Balakot operation in 2019. By targeting the very heart of terror infrastructure-without escalating to full-scale war or targeting military assets-India has set a new benchmark for measured, effective counter-terror responses.
The operation’s code name, “Sindoor,” is believed to symbolize national mourning and resolve, particularly in memory of the young couples and families devastated by the Pahalgam attack. The government’s messaging has been clear: this was not just retaliation, but a demonstration of India’s ability to act with restraint, precision, and overwhelming resolve.
In Pakistan, the strikes have led to heightened security and political tension. The Pakistani government has convened emergency meetings, and opposition leaders have called for a measured response. Media coverage in Pakistan has focused on the scale of the Indian operation and the vulnerability of terror infrastructure within its borders. Civil society voices in both countries have called for de-escalation and renewed efforts toward dialogue, warning that further conflict would only harm ordinary citizens on both sides.
In the wake of the strikes, major airports in northern India-including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and Dharamshala-were temporarily closed, disrupting hundreds of flights and affecting thousands of travelers. Security alerts were issued across all major cities, and additional troops were deployed to sensitive border areas. Both India and Pakistan have since maintained a heightened state of military readiness, with Pakistan placing its air force on alert and India conducting large-scale security drills in over 240 districts. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Operation Sindoor: Key Details at a Glance
-
Date and Time: May 7, 2025, at 1:44 am.
-
Targets: Nine terror-linked sites (four in Pakistan, five in PoK), including Jaish-e-Mohammed HQ in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke.
-
Forces Involved: Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force (tri-services operation).
-
Weapons Used: SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER precision bombs, loitering munitions.
-
Objective: Eliminate senior terrorist leadership and infrastructure behind cross-border attacks on India.
-
Civilian/Military Impact: No Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure targeted; focus solely on terror camps.
-
Aftermath: Heightened tensions, air travel disruptions, nationwide security drills, and calls for restraint from the UN.
Operation Sindoor stands as a watershed moment in India’s fight against terrorism, blending grief with resolve, and restraint with decisive action. As the nation mourns its lost citizens, it also stands united-sending a message to the world that justice, when demanded, will be delivered with clarity and conviction.
Looking ahead, Operation Sindoor may well redefine the rules of engagement between India and Pakistan. The operation’s precision, restraint, and transparency could serve as a template for future counter-terror actions in the region. Whether it leads to a lasting reduction in cross-border terrorism or prompts a dangerous cycle of retaliation remains to be seen. For now, India has sent an unambiguous message: acts of terror will not go unanswered, and justice will be pursued with both resolve and responsibility.
Follow: Press Release | Operation Sindoor
Also Read: Operation Sindoor: Powerful Indian Strike Targets 9 Terrorist Camps in POK
