Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army targeted nine terror hideouts belonging to banned organisations Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). The strategic operation involved striking four locations in Pakistan’s territory and five in PoK, and was carried out two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor refers to a series of coordinated air and missile strikes launched by India on May 7, 2025, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This operation was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 individuals, primarily Hindu tourists, were killed. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, notably Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure allegedly responsible for orchestrating attacks against India. Key targets included sites in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Sialkot, known strongholds of the aforementioned militant groups. The Indian Armed Forces employed Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, executing 24 precision strikes over a 23-minute duration. Notably, this marked the first instance since the 1971 war where India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force conducted a joint operation against Pakistan.
Weapons Used
The operation marked a high-tech precision assault, showcasing India’s growing military capabilities. The following advanced weaponry was used:
- SCALP Cruise Missiles – Long-range missiles launched from Rafale jets, designed for deep strikes with pinpoint accuracy.
- HAMMER Precision-Guided Bombs – Used for bunker-busting and targeting hardened enemy shelters.
- Loitering Munitions – Drones that can hover before striking, allowing flexible target selection.
Pakistani Response and Escalation
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of war, asserting that civilian areas, including mosques, were targeted, resulting in 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries. In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft and initiated artillery shelling across the Line of Control, leading to additional casualties. India, however, disputed these claims, acknowledging only the loss of one aircraft due to technical failure.
International Reactions
The international community expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint. Countries including the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates called for de-escalation and emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Operation Sindoor signifies a notable shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, demonstrating a willingness to conduct deep strikes within Pakistani territory. The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” symbolically references the red powder worn by married Hindu women, possibly alluding to the widows left behind by the Pahalgam attack. This operation underscores India’s intent to hold perpetrators accountable beyond its borders.
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