On May 7, 2025, India initiated “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision air and missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This decisive military action was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, where 26 Hindu tourists, including Indian and Nepali nationals, were brutally killed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Background: The Pahalgam Tragedy
The Pahalgam attack involved five heavily armed militants who ambushed tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants selectively targeted Hindu tourists, demanding they recite Islamic verses to determine their faith before executing them. The attack, captured on video by a tourist, sparked nationwide outrage and intensified calls for a robust response against cross-border terrorism.
Execution of Operation Sindoor
In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, deploying Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. The 23-minute operation targeted nine sites, including Bahawalpur, Muridke, Tehra Kalan, Sialkot, Bhimber, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. These locations were identified as hubs for terrorist organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
India reported the elimination of approximately 70 militants and the destruction of key terrorist infrastructures. The operation was described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.
Pakistan’s Response and Escalation
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting 26 civilian deaths, including women and children, and 46 injuries. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafales and a MiG-29, and vowed retaliation. India has not confirmed these claims.
In retaliation, Pakistan initiated heavy mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the deaths of at least three Indian civilians. The Pakistani government labeled India’s actions as an “act of war” and announced the closure of its airspace for 48 hours.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout
The international community expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint, emphasizing that “the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
China urged both nations to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, while the United States and Russia called for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation. Several countries, including Malaysia and Qatar, suspended or rerouted flights to avoid the embattled airspace.
Domestic Measures and Preparedness
In anticipation of potential retaliatory actions, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs announced civil defense drills across seven states, including the operationalization of air raid warning sirens and training civilians on protective measures. These drills, reminiscent of those conducted during the 1971 conflict, underscore the gravity of the current situation.
Significance of ‘Sindoor’
The operation’s codename, “Sindoor,” holds symbolic significance. In Hindu tradition, sindoor is a red vermilion powder applied by married women, symbolizing marital status and auspiciousness. The choice of this name reflects the targeted nature of the Pahalgam attack, where Hindu men were selectively killed, leaving their wives widowed. By naming the operation “Sindoor,” India underscores its commitment to protecting its citizens and responding decisively to acts of terror.
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