🇮🇳 Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strikes in Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
News Summary
On May 7, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a coordinated military operation targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This action was in direct retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, including Indian and Nepali nationals, were killed. The Indian Armed Forces executed 24 precision missile strikes, resulting in the elimination of approximately 70 terrorists. The operation marked the first instance since the 1971 war where all three branches of India’s military—Army, Navy, and Air Force—were deployed together against Pakistan. Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting civilian casualties and vowing retaliation. The situation has escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, prompting international calls for restraint.
Operation Sindoor: A Comprehensive Analysis
Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack
On April 22, 2025, five militants launched a brutal attack on tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. The assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, separating them based on religious identity before executing them. The attack resulted in 26 deaths, including a Nepali tourist, and was captured on video by a tourist, leading to widespread outrage across India.
Execution of Operation Sindoor
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The operation involved coordinated air and missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Key targets included areas in Muridke and Bahawalpur, known for housing militant group facilities. India reported the elimination of approximately 70 terrorists within 24 hours of the strikes.
Strategic Significance
Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy. By deploying all three branches of the military, India demonstrated its commitment to a unified and robust response to terrorism. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and deter future attacks, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism.
International Reactions
The operation drew varied reactions from the international community. While some nations acknowledged India’s right to self-defense, others expressed concern over the potential for escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations and countries like the United States and China urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting civilian casualties, including women and children. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft and vowed retaliation. The operation significantly escalated tensions between the two nations, leading to diplomatic fallout and military skirmishes along the Line of Control.
Impact on Civil Aviation
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, India temporarily shut down 18 airports, including those in Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, and Amritsar, leading to the cancellation of over 200 flights. The Kartarpur corridor was also closed for the day. These measures were taken as precautionary steps to ensure civilian safety amid escalating tensions.
âť“ FAQs
Q1: What prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was launched in direct retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, prompting a coordinated military response.
Q2: Which areas were targeted during Operation Sindoor?
The operation targeted nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including areas in Muridke and Bahawalpur, known for housing militant group facilities.Wikipedia+1Latest news & breaking headlines+1
Q3: How did Pakistan respond to the strikes?
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reported civilian casualties, and vowed retaliation. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft.The Sun+6Wikipedia+6AP News+6
Q4: What was the international community’s reaction?
The international community expressed concern over the potential for escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations and countries like the United States and China urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.The Sun+3Wikipedia+3New York Post+3The Guardian
Q5: What measures did India take domestically following the operation?
India temporarily shut down 18 airports, including those in Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, and Amritsar, leading to the cancellation of over 200 flights. The Kartarpur corridor was also closed for the day as a precautionary measure.
