Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Terror Camps in Pakistan with Precision in Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – In a bold and resolute response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, the Indian Armed Forces launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision missile strikes targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, executed in the early hours of Wednesday at 1:44 AM IST, aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure used by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to orchestrate cross-border attacks against India.
The strikes, described by the Ministry of Defence as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeted key terror hubs in locations including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot in Pakistan, and Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in PoJK, all identified by Indian intelligence as nerve centers for militant activities. Precision strike systems, including loitering munitions, were deployed by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in a historic tri-services operation, ensuring no Pakistani military facilities were hit to avoid broader escalation.
The operation comes two weeks after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where terrorists, believed to include Pakistani nationals, executed a brutal massacre in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, targeting Hindu men, including newlywed Navy Lt. Vinay Narwal, whose wife’s grief-stricken image went viral, fueling national outrage. The name “Operation Sindoor,” symbolizing the sacred vermilion worn by married Hindu women, underscores India’s resolve to avenge the fallen and protect its citizens.
Indian officials confirmed the strikes were conducted entirely from Indian soil, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitoring the operation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the action, posting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” on X, while the Indian Army declared, “Justice is Served. Jai Hind!” Preliminary estimates suggest at least 17 terrorists were killed and 60 injured, though Pakistan’s military spokesperson reported three civilian deaths—a child, a man, and a woman—and 12 injuries in their initial assessment.
Pakistan’s response was swift, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labeling the strikes an “act of war” and convening an emergency National Security Committee meeting. Lahore and Sialkot airports were shut for 48 hours, and Pakistan’s airspace was closed, signaling heightened tensions. Heavy artillery fire from Pakistan along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri followed, killing three Indian civilians, to which Indian forces responded proportionately.
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the operation, emphasizing its targeted nature. The U.S. and UN urged restraint, with Rubio echoing calls for a swift resolution. India also informed the UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, reinforcing its commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts.
As a precautionary measure, northern Indian airports, including Srinagar, Jammu, and Amritsar, suspended operations, and schools in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch remained closed. The nationwide mock drill planned for May 7 to prepare for hostile attacks has taken on added significance amid the escalating situation.
Operation Sindoor marks India’s third major punitive strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in a decade, following the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. With the nation on high alert, India’s message is unequivocal: terrorism will face swift and unforgiving retribution.
