India strikes back with Operation Sindoor! This comes two weeks after the deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam's Beisaran Valley. The Indian forces launched a series of strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, attacking nine different terrorist sites and infrastructure around 1:00 am-1:30 am on 7th May[1]. Here is a take on what exactly happened during the wee hours and what led to the operation:
#PahalgamTerrorAttack
Justice is Served.
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/Aruatj6OfA
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 6, 2025
During the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian Defence forces hit nine different locations of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, rocking the terrain with a series of missile attacks. The targeted sites were "terrorist infrastructure", the places (terror camps and launchpads of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen), where attacks against India were 'planned and directed'[1]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was closely watching and monitoring Operation Sindoor.
According to the Government of India, Press Information Bureau, Operation Sindoor was a part of living up to the 'commitment' to hold those responsible for the 22 April attack 'accountable'[1].
New Delhi has stated clearly that no Pakistani Military facilities were hit during the Operation, and its "actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature", with considerable restraint in selecting targets and method of execution[1].
#WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, our armed forces launched #OperationSindoor and destroyed training camps for terrorists, giving a befitting reply this time too, just like it did earlier. To give a reply for the… pic.twitter.com/NGk8BE5Gqs
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2025
The name of the operation holds significance in the Hindu culture. 'Sindoor' is a Hindi word for vermilion, which is a red pigment that Hindu women apply on their forehead after marriage as a symbol.
Operation Sindoor refers to the Pahalgam attack, how tourists were shot by the terrorists. Survivors have given an account of the killings, when the male tourists were singled out, apart from the female tourists. The non-Muslims were identified and shot dead, with widowed women left behind. The women can no longer apply Sindoor after their husband's death.
That's why the name. To live up to the commitment to the bereaved women and hold those accountable who took away their husbands' lives.
Hubs of terrorism attacked in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor
Altogether, nine locations were targeted in three different areas[2]:
Muzaffarabad and Kotli, among others (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir)
Bahawalpur, Shakar Garh, Muridke, and Sialkot (Eastern Punjab province of Pakistan): India has hit the most populous state of Pakistan for the first time, ever since the 1971 war.
These places were hubs of terrorist training and operations at: Markaz Subhan Allah (Bahawalpur), Markaz Taiba (Muridke), Mehmoona Joya (Sialkot), Markaz Ahle Hadith (Barnala), Markaz Abbas (Kotli), Markaz Raheel Shaheed, and Shawai Nalla Camp (Muzaffarabad)[3].
Security officials report that as many as 80 terrorists have been killed in the strikes[4].
Tensions on the border have been high ever since the mass shooting of 26 Hindu tourists in the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley. Four armed men belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) - The Resistant Front (TRF), the terror outfit based in Pakistan, killed 26 'Hindu men', segregating them from the others. Out of them, 25 were Indian nationals and one was a Nepali citizen. The act is heinous, condemning, and barbaric, one of the worst against civilians in the valley in twenty years. It drew widespread anger and outrage against Pakistan and its acts in India[2].
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, had declared after the Pahalgam attack, without mincing his words at all. He stated adamantly, "I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. Those who planned and implemented it "will be punished beyond their imagination."
In a press meet on Wednesday (May 7, 2025), India's Foreign Secretary stated that the Pahalgam terror attack was carried on to cause harm to the gradual 'normalcy' being established in Jammu & Kashmir (23 million tourists in 2024), impacting its tourism and economy, further marring the growth and development. Their objective was to provoke communal discord in Jammu & Kashmir and the whole nation.
The armed attack has been the first from India's side since April 22. But several other measures have already been taken by the country against Pakistan, which were a part of diplomatic, strategic, and digital retaliation. Here is a timeline[5]:
Indus Water Treaty- India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, in which water from six rivers was shared between the two countries.
Expulsion of diplomats- India expelled all the Pakistani diplomats based in New Delhi. It has also called back its high commission from Islamabad.
Visa suspensions: India has revoked visas for Pakistani Nationals. It has even started sending Pakistani people staying in India over the years.
Closing borders- Indian borders are closed for Pakistani nationals as well as their goods and services of any kind. Neither is India exporting anything from here. The Attari border, which was a peaceful means of communication across the border, is also closed.
Blocked air and water routes- India has blocked its airspace for Pakistani flights. Also, blocking the water route means no Pakistani ship can pass through Indian waters. Pakistan carriers will have to reroute all over to China or Sri Lanka.
Celeb ban- Pakistani celebrities have been completely banned in India from now on. The Instagram accounts of several Pakistani cricketers and celebrities are also banned. Well, the celeb ban is nothing new; this has been done in the past as well, after the Uri and Pulwama instances.
Under anti-terrorism laws, more than 2,000 residents in Indian-administered Kashmir have been detained by the authorities. Terrorists inhabited homes, and their allies have also been demolished.
News has it that India has launched Operation Sindoor against terrorism! In the wake of India's strike, here is how the world is reacting[6]:
US President Donald Trump said at the White House, "It's a shame. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They have been fighting for a long time. They have been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly."
Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, in his statement, said that Israel stands in support of India's right to self-defence.
Israel supports India’s right for self defense. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent. #OperationSindoor
— ???????? Reuven Azar (@ReuvenAzar) May 7, 2025
In a statement given by a spokesperson of Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, it was said, "The Secretary General is very concerned about the Indian Military operations across the Line of Control and the International border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview, "We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation, and of course, to protect civilians."
The UAE statement release read, "His Highness reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises, and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability and prosperity."
Russia, China, Japan, among other nations, have also called for peace and no military restraint between India and Pakistan.
Till now, Pakistan has been denying any involvement in last month's Pahalgam attack. After the Wednesday strikes, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has said that India's claim of targeting terrorist camps is a lie, and Operation Sindoor hit civilian areas. Talking to AFP, he said, "The retaliation has already started. We won't take long to settle the score." Pakistan described the strikes as 'unprovoked'. The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that 'the act of aggression will not go unpunished'. It has accused New Delhi of committing an 'act of war'.
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced, "The strike won't go unanswered. The temporary pleasure of India will be replaced by enduring grief."
Pakistan has also claimed that it has brought down five Indian planes, including three Rafales, in response to the missile attack. As for the deaths, it has been said that eight Pakistani civilians were killed, and 35 were left injured. India hasn't responded to any such claim.
Among those dead are 10 members of Maulana Masood Azhar, JeM Chief's family. The missile attack also killed four close associates of Azhar in the terror organisation's headquarters located in Bahawalpur[7].
The issue is nowhere settling in as of now. Tensions might escalate even further, with full-blown military action from both sides that might have unacceptable risks and consequences.
According to Reuters, heavy shelling and gunfire have been observed across the India-Pakistan border, the undisputed Kashmir region in their frontiers.
Pakistan will surely retaliate, but it is yet to be seen to what extent. The strength that it can possess: Economic, Diplomatic, Military, and Domestic. Will it again beg for aid from the International Monetary Fund(IMF) or its friend, China? One thing is for sure: if it continues to support terrorism, Pakistan will perish soon. Defence Expert Brigadier (retd) Govind Sisodiya told ANI, "Pakistan's response is likely to be nominal, considering its constrained military, diplomatic, and financial position."
As the geo-political situation tenses further, the stock market also stands affected. There is also no visibility of any further talks between India and Pakistan. We can only hope that the issue is resolved, and all the necessary action is taken to bring terrorists to justice. Because terrorism cannot thrive, and the 'epicenter' of terror needs to be destroyed....
Press Information Bureau. (2025, May 7). Press release detail. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2127370®=3&lang=1
BBC News. (2025, May 7). Know why India’s strike on Pakistan is significant. BBC News. https://www.yahoo.com/news/know-indias-strike-pakistan-pakistan-013759138.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Times of India. (2025, May 7). Operation Sindoor explained: Why these 9 terror hideouts were chosen by the Army. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-sindoor-explained-why-these-9-terror-hideouts-were-chosen-by-the-army/articleshow/120952194.cms
Singh, B. (2025, May 7). Operation Sindoor: Full list of 9 terrorist camps hit by Indian forces in Pakistan & PoK. The Times of India. https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/operation-sindoor-full-list-of-9-terrorist-camps-hit-by-indian-forces-in-pakistan-pok-658375.html
Open The Magazine. (2025, May 3). Timeline of Indian response after Pahalgam massacre. https://openthemagazine.com/special/timeline-of-indian-response-after-pahalgam-massacre/
Firstpost. (2025, May 7). Operation Sindoor: How the world is reacting to India's military strikes on Pakistan and PoK. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/operation-sindoor-how-the-world-is-reacting-to-indias-military-strikes-on-pakistan-and-pok-13886205.html
HT News Desk. (2025, May 7). Operation Sindoor: Who all from Masood Azhar's family were killed in Indian strike? Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-who-all-from-masood-azhars-family-were-killed-in-indian-strike-101746607774666.html
HT News Desk. (2025, May 7). After Op Sindoor, 12 civilians killed, 42 injured in Pakistan shelling in Poonch. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-op-sindoor-12-civilians-killed-42-injured-in-pakistan-shelling-in-poonch-101746607774666.html
_6826e2972c924.jpg)
_6826e2972c924.jpg)
