Date: May 7, 2025, at 1:44 AM IST.
Purpose: Retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Action: Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Controversy: Pakistan denies terrorist links, claims civilian casualties, and reports downing Indian aircraft, which India has not confirmed.

Overview

Operation Sindoor was a significant military response by India to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. It seems likely that the operation aimed to neutralize terrorist infrastructure while avoiding escalation with Pakistan’s military. The operation has sparked debate due to conflicting reports from India and Pakistan about casualties and outcomes.

Why It Matters

The operation was launched in response to a deadly attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam. India attributes the attack to Pakistan-backed groups, prompting a strong military response. The evidence leans toward India targeting specific terrorist sites, but Pakistan’s claims of civilian casualties have raised international concerns.

What’s Next

The operation has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with the international community urging restraint. Research suggests that such operations may deter future attacks but risk escalating conflicts if not carefully managed.

Operation Sindoor: A Detailed Look at India’s Anti-Terror Operation

Introduction

On May 7, 2025, at 1:44 AM IST, India executed Operation Sindoor, a significant military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. Involving all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—the operation aimed to dismantle terror networks while avoiding escalation with Pakistan’s military. This blog post explores the background, execution, outcomes, and international reactions to Operation Sindoor, drawing on multiple perspectives to provide a balanced view.

Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack

The catalyst for Operation Sindoor was the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination frequented by honeymooners. Terrorists, reportedly backed by Pakistan, singled out Hindu men, including newlyweds, and killed 26 civilians—25 Indians and one Nepali national. The Resistance Front, a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility, and India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed Pakistan’s involvement in the attack [14]. The attack sparked nationwide outrage, with figures like Himanshi Narwal, whose husband, Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, was killed, becoming symbols of the tragedy [9].

Details of Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a meticulously planned operation with the following key aspects:

Detail	Information
Date and Time	May 7, 2025, 1:44 AM IST
Military Involvement	Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in a tri-services operation, the first joint strike since the 1971 war [8]
Targets	Nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and PoK, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke, and camps in Kotli and Muzaffarabad [2]
Nature of Strikes	Precision missile strikes described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” avoiding Pakistani military facilities [4]
Terror Groups Targeted	Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen [15]
Execution	Used advanced weapon systems, including loitering munitions, coordinated from Indian soil [5]

The operation was overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who monitored its progress throughout the night [6]. Colonel Sophia Qureshi, in a press briefing, stated that the targets were chosen to “break the backbone of terrorism” [1].

Casualties and Impact

The reported casualties vary significantly between Indian and Pakistani sources:

Source	Casualties Reported
Indian Sources	Over 80-90 terrorists killed, with 25-30 at Bahawalpur and 25-30 at Muridke, significantly degrading terror groups’ capabilities [1][6]
Pakistani Sources	At least 26 people killed and 46 injured, including civilians, with a mosque in Bahawalpur hit, killing a child [3]
Civilian Impact (India)	Six civilians killed, over 30 injured due to Pakistani shelling along the LoC [2]
Civilian Impact (Pakistan)	Eight civilians martyred, 35 injured, two missing, as per Pakistani military [2]

The operation disrupted terror networks, but the civilian casualties reported by Pakistan have fueled controversy, with Pakistan denying the presence of terrorist camps at the targeted sites.

Pakistani Response

Pakistan’s response was swift and multifaceted:

Military Retaliation: The Pakistan Army shelled Indian villages along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri, causing civilian casualties [2]. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft (three Rafales, one SU-30, one MiG-29) and a Heron drone, and taken Indian soldiers prisoner [3][12]. India has not confirmed these claims.
Political Statements: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the strikes an “act of war,” while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif indicated Pakistan would refrain from further retaliation if India halted operations [1]. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described the strikes as a “cowardly attack” [5].
Media Restrictions: Several Pakistani news websites, including Dawn and Geo News, were reportedly banned in India following the operation [15].

International Reactions

The operation drew varied responses globally:

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both nations to exercise “maximum military restraint” [2].
United States: The U.S. Secretary of State engaged with national security advisors from India and Pakistan, emphasizing de-escalation [2].
China: Described the strikes as “regrettable” and called for restraint while condemning terrorism [16].
Other Nations: India briefed the U.S., U.K., Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Russia on the operation, seeking to justify its actions [2].

Significance of the Name “Operation Sindoor”

The name “Operation Sindoor” is deeply symbolic. “Sindoor” (vermillion) is a traditional mark worn by married Hindu women and a symbol of valor among warriors. The name reflects the operation’s dual purpose: to honor the victims of the Pahalgam attack, many of whom were Hindu, and to underscore India’s resolute stance against terrorism. The Indian Army’s announcement included imagery visualizing the name, emphasizing its cultural and emotional resonance [9].

Domestic Reactions in India

The operation received widespread support across India’s political spectrum:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Chose the codename and vowed to pursue the perpetrators “to the ends of the earth” [6].
Home Minister Amit Shah: Praised the “

targeted and precise” strikes, calling them a response to the “brutal killing of our innocent brothers” [1].

Opposition Leaders: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed pride in the armed forces, while Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge affirmed support [5]. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi welcomed the strikes, urging a “harsh lesson” for Pakistan’s deep state [1].

Security Measures in India

Post-operation, India implemented several security measures:

Civilians near the LoC were moved to bunkers [2].
A red alert was issued in Uttar Pradesh, with heightened security around vital installations [2].
Commercial flights were suspended in northern India, affecting cities like Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh [17].
Schools and colleges were closed in five border districts of Jammu [1].

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India’s capability to conduct precise, multi-domain military operations while exercising restraint to avoid broader conflict. By targeting terrorist infrastructure linked to groups like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen, India sent a clear message about its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. However, the operation has escalated tensions with Pakistan, with conflicting casualty reports and claims of military engagements adding complexity to the narrative. The international community, led by the UN and the U.S., continues to advocate for de-escalation, while India’s briefing of global powers underscores its intent to justify the operation as a necessary anti-terror measure. As the situation evolves, Operation Sindoor will likely remain a pivotal moment in India-Pakistan relations and the global fight against terrorism.

References

crackiasexam.com

Operation Sindoor: India’s Response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack

Overview

Why It Matters

What’s Next

Operation Sindoor: A Detailed Look at India’s Anti-Terror Operation

Introduction

Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack

Details of Operation Sindoor

Casualties and Impact

Pakistani Response

International Reactions

Significance of the Name “Operation Sindoor”

Domestic Reactions in India

Security Measures in India

Conclusion

References

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