In a resolute response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 25 Indian lives and one Nepali citizen, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor at 1:44 AM on May 7, 2025. This historic tri-services operation targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), marking a significant escalation in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism.
Background: The Pahalgam Massacre
The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, targeted tourists, including newlywed couples, in a calculated act of terror. Intelligence reports suggest that two local terrorists mingled with tourists, herding them to a food court where two Pakistani terrorists opened fire, killing 26 people. The attack, attributed to the Kashmir Resistance, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), aimed to instill fear and provoke communal tensions. India accused Pakistan of harboring the perpetrators, a claim Pakistan denied, suggesting the attack was a “false flag operation.”
Operation Sindoor: Execution and Strategy
Operation Sindoor was a meticulously planned operation involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Key details include:
- Targets and Locations: Nine terror camps were struck, including four in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Ahmadpur Sharqia) and five in PoJK (Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Faisalabad, among others). Notable targets included Muridke, home to LeT’s Markaz-e-Taiba, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Bahawalpur, a stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
- Method: Precision strike weapon systems, including loitering munitions, were deployed from Indian airspace, ensuring no violation of Pakistani sovereignty. The strikes were guided by coordinates from Indian intelligence agencies, including RAW, which identified LeT and JeM hideouts.
- Outcome: All nine targets were successfully neutralized, with sources reporting at least 17 terrorists killed and 60 injured. The operation avoided Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure, reflecting India’s “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” approach.
The Indian Army released a video on X showcasing arms, ammunition, and tanks, captioned, “Ready to strike, trained to win,” minutes before the operation. The Ministry of Defence emphasized that the strikes were a direct response to the “barbaric” Pahalgam attack, fulfilling India’s commitment to hold perpetrators accountable.
Why ‘Sindoor’?
The operation’s name, Sindoor, symbolizes the cultural and emotional weight of the Pahalgam attack, which left several women widowed. Sindoor, a vermilion mark worn by married Hindu women, represents marital honor. Victims like Himanshi Narwal (Gurugram), Priyanka Sharma (Jaipur), and Pragati Jagdale (Pune) lost their husbands in the attack. Pragati Jagdale remarked, “The terrorists wiped the sindoor from our foreheads. This operation’s name is a tribute to our pain.” The Indian Army dedicated the operation to the “honor of Hindu wives,” resonating deeply with the public.
Domestic and Regional Impact
- Public Sentiment: The operation sparked widespread support in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where locals chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Indian Army Zindabad.” Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav tweeted, “Jai Hind! Jai Hind ki Sena!”
- Civilian Disruptions: Airports in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala were closed, impacting flights. SpiceJet and IndiGo issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses. Schools and colleges in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch remained shut.
- Security Measures: A nationwide mock drill for civil defense was conducted on May 7, the first since 1971, involving 244 districts to prepare for potential hostile attacks. The BJP urged citizens to participate, emphasizing national preparedness.
Pakistani Response and Escalation
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and a violation of its sovereignty, claiming six locations were hit, resulting in eight civilian deaths, including women and children, and damage to two mosques. Pakistan’s military spokesperson reported three deaths and 12 injuries, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed two Indian jets and a drone were shot down, a claim refuted by Indian sources.
Post-strike, Pakistan violated the ceasefire by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali, Poonch-Rajouri, killing three Indian civilians and injuring a woman and her daughter in Poonch. The Indian Army responded in a “calibrated manner.” Pakistan closed its airspace, suspending Qatar Airways flights, and mobilized troops along the border.
International Reactions
India briefed key allies, including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Russia, on the operation. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval assured US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that no Pakistani civilian or military targets were hit. US President Donald Trump remarked, “People knew something was coming… I hope it ends quickly.” The UN expressed concern, urging both nations to avoid escalation, with Secretary-General António Guterres stating, “A military solution is no solution.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) criticized India’s “harsh rhetoric,” a statement rejected by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Indian-origin US Congressman Shri Thanedar supported India, stating, “India has the right to defend its people.”
Strategic Context
Operation Sindoor is the third major punitive strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan in a decade, following the 2016 surgical strikes post-Uri and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes post-Pulwama. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who monitored the operation closely, had granted “complete operational freedom” to the armed forces after the Pahalgam attack. The operation aligns with India’s broader strategy to disrupt terror networks while avoiding full-scale conflict with Pakistan, a nuclear-armed neighbor.
Challenges and Future Prospects
- Escalation Risks: Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling and airspace closure raise fears of further escalation. The UN warned that the world “cannot afford an India-Pakistan confrontation.”
- Disinformation: Unverified claims, such as Pakistan’s assertion of shooting down Indian jets, highlight the challenge of managing narratives. Indian media reported that Phase One of Operation Sindoor is complete, with more strikes possible, though no independent confirmation exists.
- Kashmir’s Plight: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cautioned against broad crackdowns on locals, emphasizing that the Pahalgam attackers must be targeted specifically. Former CM Mehbooba Mufti sought financial aid for pony operators ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, highlighting the attack’s economic impact.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor underscores India’s unwavering commitment to counter-terrorism and justice for the Pahalgam victims. By targeting terror hubs with precision and restraint, India has sent a strong message while navigating the delicate balance of regional stability. As tensions simmer, the international community watches closely, hoping for de-escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. A detailed briefing by the Indian Army, scheduled for 10 AM on May 7, is expected to provide further clarity on the operation’s scope and outcomes