On 7 May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a meticulously planned military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This decisive action was a direct response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April, where 26 civilians, including Indian and Nepali nationals, were brutally killed by militants affiliated with Pakistan-based groups.
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam massacre involved five heavily armed militants attacking 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 that the 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.
Execution of Operation Sindoor
In the early hours of 7 May, the Indian Armed Forces executed Operation Sindoor, conducting coordinated air and missile strikes on nine strategic locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The targets included training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Key areas struck were Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs during the 23-minute operation. India reported the elimination of approximately 70 terrorists within 24 hours of the strikes.
Pakistan's Response and Escalation
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. In response, Pakistan conducted missile strikes on Indian-administered Kashmir, with reports of civilian casualties on both sides.
International Reactions
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.
Conclusion
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.
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