Operation Sindoor: India’s Decisive Blow Against Terror
In a bold response to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India executed a large-scale military operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The meticulously planned strikes, launched on May 7, 2025, aimed to dismantle nine terror camps linked to attacks on Indian soil, including the April 22 Pahalgam assault that claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists.
The Indian armed forces, in a coordinated tri-services effort the first of its kind since the 1971 India-Pakistan war delivered 24 missile strikes in just 25 minutes, neutralizing over 100 terrorists and crippling terror networks responsible for prior attacks, such as the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The operation was a resounding success, with the government emphasizing its precision in targeting only terrorist facilities, avoiding Pakistani military installations to prevent broader escalation. Visuals of the strikes, sourced from Pakistani social media and shared by the government, underscored the operation’s impact.
Operation Sindoor introduced a new doctrine of calibrated deterrence, establishing a clear boundary against Pakistan’s alleged use of terrorism as a state policy. The strikes drew international attention, with the White House, urging de-escalation while acknowledging the heightened tensions. Despite Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile attempts, which India thwarted, the operation achieved its objectives, with all Indian pilots returning safely, as confirmed by Air Marshal AK Bharti. However, the mission came at a cost, with the Indian Army losing five soldiers, to whom the military paid homage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the armed forces to respond forcefully to any further Pakistani aggression, signaling that Operation Sindoor is ongoing and marks a “new normal” in India’s approach to cross-border threats. The operation has redefined India’s rules of engagement, asserting that terrorists targeting the nation will find no safe haven.
