By The Interview Times Staff | May 7, 2025
In a bold and calculated move, India has launched precision missile strikes targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under the codename Operation Sindoor. The operation, executed in the early hours of May 7, 2025, comes as a direct response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and one Nepali national, in Jammu and Kashmir. The Interview Times has verified these developments through multiple credible sources, including Indian government statements, military officials, and international media reports.
Verification of the News
The news of India’s strikes on terror sites in Pakistan has been widely reported and corroborated by several authoritative sources:
- Indian Government and Military Statements: The Indian Armed Forces, in a statement released through the Embassy of India in Washington DC, confirmed that Operation Sindoor targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK at 1:44 AM on May 7, 2025. The strikes were described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” with no Pakistani civilian, economic, or military targets hit. The operation was a joint effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, utilizing precision strike weapons.
- Indian Media Outlets: Leading Indian news organizations, including India Today, The Economic Times, Times Now, NDTV, and News18, reported the strikes, citing government and military sources. These reports consistently state that the operation was a retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed terrorists, including members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
- International Media: International outlets such as NPR, CNN, and AFP have also reported the strikes, confirming India’s claims of targeting terror infrastructure. NPR noted that the strikes hit nine sites in Pakistan and PoJK, while AFP reported Pakistan’s vow to retaliate “at a time and place of its choosing.”
- Posts on X: Social media posts on X from reputable sources like ANI, Times of India, and India Today further corroborate the operation, with visuals and statements from former Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd) and local reactions in Jammu and Kashmir. These posts align with official reports, emphasizing the precision and restrained nature of the strikes.
While Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and accused India of using it as a “false pretext” for military action, Islamabad has not refuted the occurrence of the strikes themselves. Pakistani officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, have acknowledged the operation, claiming it was based on “baseless allegations” and promising a response.
Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack
On April 22, 2025, terrorists opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly civilians, in one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. Indian authorities have pointed to Pakistan’s involvement, with security agencies identifying three key perpetrators: Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, his deputy Saifullah Kasuri in Pakistan, and Hashim Moosa, believed to be hiding in south Kashmir.
The attack sparked widespread outrage in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to “hunt down” the perpetrators and punish them “beyond imagination.” High-level meetings involving Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and the chiefs of the armed forces signaled a strong retaliatory response. India also took diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and banning Pakistani flights from Indian airspace.
Operation Sindoor: Details of the Strikes
Operation Sindoor was a meticulously planned tri-services operation involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Key details include:
- Targets: Nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK, identified as hubs for planning and coordinating cross-border attacks against India. Specific targets reportedly included a madrasa linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Maulana Masood Azhar.
- Timing and Execution: The strikes were launched at 1:44 AM on May 7, 2025, catching Pakistan off guard. Sources indicate Pakistan mistook India’s preparations for a mock drill scheduled for May 7, allowing India to strike deep into Pakistani territory.
- Nature of Strikes: Described as “precision strikes,” the operation used advanced weaponry to destroy terror infrastructure while avoiding Pakistani military facilities to prevent escalation. All targets were successfully neutralized, with no reported damage to civilian or military assets.
- Aftermath: Pakistan responded with heavy artillery fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in areas like Bhimber Gali, Poonch-Rajauri, and Kupwara, resulting in three reported deaths. India reported no losses, with all Indian Air Force pilots involved in the operation accounted for.
Global Reactions and Implications
The international community has responded with a mix of concern and calls for restraint:
- United States: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged de-escalation in calls with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton stated that India has “every right to attack in self-defense.”
- Russia: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for de-escalation, citing the 1972 Simla Accord and 1999 Lahore Declaration, which advocate for bilateral resolution of disputes.
- United Nations: The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on May 6, 2025, condemning the Pahalgam attack and questioning Pakistan over LeT’s involvement. Members rejected Pakistan’s “false flag” narrative and urged accountability.
- Taliban: In a surprising development, the Taliban condemned the Pahalgam attack and engaged in diplomatic talks with India, further isolating Pakistan.
The operation has significant implications for India-Pakistan relations, already strained by decades of conflict over Kashmir. Pakistan’s economy, already fragile, has seen its stock market (KSE-100) drop by 4% since the attack, while India’s BSE Sensex has risen by 1.5%, reflecting investor confidence in India’s response.
Domestic Sentiment in India
In India, Operation Sindoor has been met with widespread approval. Locals in Jammu and Kashmir raised slogans of “Indian Army Zindabad” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” reflecting national pride. Political leaders across party lines, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have expressed support for the government’s actions.
Aarthi Menon, daughter of Pahalgam victim N. Ramachandran, described the strikes as “very comforting at this moment of grief,” underscoring the emotional resonance of India’s response.
Conclusion
India’s Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in its counter-terrorism strategy, sending a clear message to Pakistan that attacks on Indian soil will not go unanswered. The precision and restraint of the strikes reflect India’s intent to punish perpetrators without provoking a broader conflict. However, with Pakistan’s retaliatory firing along the LoC and vows of further response, the region remains on edge.
The Interview Times will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this critical issue. As tensions persist, the international community’s role in preventing further escalation will be crucial.