Operation Sindoor: India's powerful retaliation against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a massive military operation targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The strikes were a direct response to the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 innocent lives.

In a coordinated mission lasting just 22 minutes, Indian forces hit nine key terror camps and support facilities, stretching from Muridke to Bahawalpur, long known as hubs for terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation was mainly carried out by the Indian Air Force, backed by loitering munitions and ground-based artillery.

The Indian Air Force’s precision bombing bypassed Chinese-supplied air defence systems deployed by Pakistan, showcasing significant tactical prowess. This marked a bold escalation in India’s counter-terrorism policy, pushing beyond the Line of Control (LoC) and international borders to target threats at their roots.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri described the strikes as "measured, non-escalatory, and proportionate." Defence minister Rajnath Singh hailed the operation as “historic,” while external affairs minister S Jaishankar warned that future provocations would draw equally decisive responses.

The success of Operation Sindoor reinforced India's intent to act decisively against cross-border terrorism.