On May 7, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a significant military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This action marked a decisive response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 civilians, including Indian and Nepali nationals, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, prompting a series of air and missile strikes under Operation Sindoor. The Indian Express+13Wikipedia+13Wikipedia+13
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam attack involved five militants targeting tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district. The assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, separating them based on religious identity before executing them. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers demanded victims recite Islamic verses to determine their faith. The attack resulted in 26 deaths, including a Nepali tourist, and was captured on video by a tourist, leading to widespread outrage across India. Wikipedia
Execution of Operation Sindoor
In retaliation, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, conducting coordinated air and missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The targets were identified as training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India described the strikes as precision operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and deterring future attacks. YouTube+6Wikipedia+6Wikipedia+6
The operation involved multiple branches of the Indian military and intelligence agencies. 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. New York Post+4Wikipedia+4ElHuffPost+4
Pakistan’s Response and International Reactions
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting civilian casualties, including women and children. According to Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “At no time were any Indian aircraft allowed to enter Pakistan’s airspace, and none of Pakistan’s aircraft went into Indian airspace either.” However, there have been conflicting reports. While the Pakistani military maintains that Indian aircraft did not breach their airspace, they also claim to have shot down multiple Indian jets, including Rafales, a MiG-29, a Sukhoi, and a combat drone. India has not confirmed any aircraft losses. Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
These contradictory statements highlight the complexities and tensions surrounding the recent military engagements between India and Pakistan.Wikipedia
The operation significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed its borders. Pakistan responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace. Both nations reported skirmishes along the Line of Control.Wikipedia+1New York Post+1
International actors, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate the situation.Wikipedia
Strategic Implications and Legacy
Operation Sindoor marked one of the most significant military engagements between India and Pakistan in recent years. It highlighted India’s shift towards a more assertive stance in responding to cross-border terrorism. The operation also underscored the persistent volatility in the Kashmir region and the potential for rapid escalation between the two countries. Wikipedia
By naming the operation “Sindoor,” the Indian defense establishment made a marked shift from the projection of military power to paying tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Al Jazeera+7The Indian Express+7The Economic Times+7
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor represents a pivotal moment in India’s counterterrorism strategy and its broader approach to regional security. The operation’s execution and the subsequent geopolitical ramifications underscore the complexities of the India-Pakistan relationship and the enduring challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.
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