India Launches ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack

On May 7, 2025, India initiated Operation Sindoor, a series of precision air and missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This action was in direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, were killed. India attributes the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed .Al Jazeera+10Wikipedia+10Wikipedia+10

Key Details of Operation Sindoor:

• Targets: Militant infrastructure in areas such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.

• Execution: Utilization of Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs.

• Duration: Approximately 23 minutes.

• Outcome: India claims the elimination of around 70 militants, including high-value targets like Abdul Malik and Mudassir

  Pakistan’s Response: Retaliation and Escalation

  Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries . In retaliation, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian jets and conducted strikes on Indian military installations, including a brigade headquarters .Reuters+7The Guardian+7Latest news & breaking headlines+7

  India has not confirmed these losses, stating that no aircraft were downed and that the images circulating are from previous incidents .Wikipedia+1The Guardian+1

  🌍 International Reactions: Calls for Restraint

  The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions:Reuters+2The Guardian+2Latest news & breaking headlines+2

  • United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation Wikipedia.

  • Global Leaders from the U.S., China, France, and Russia have called for diplomatic solutions to prevent a broader conflict Al Jazeera.

  ✈️ Impact on Civilians and Regional Stability

  The conflict has significantly affected civilians on both sides:

  • India: Reports of seven civilian deaths and 35 injuries due to Pakistani shelling.

  • Pakistan: Reports of 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries from Indian strikes.

  • Disruptions: Air travel has been disrupted, with several airports closed and flights canceled or diverted. Pakistan has declared a state of emergency in its Punjab province Reuters.

  🎯 List of Targets Struck

  India conducted precision air and missile strikes on nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, focusing on infrastructure associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist camps, training centers, and logistical hubs. The Times of IndiaWikipedia

  Targets in Pakistan:

  1. Muridke, Punjab: Headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, often referred to as the “terror nursery” of Pakistan. www.ndtv.com

  2. Bahawalpur, Punjab: Stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed, housing key training facilities.

  3. Sialkot, Punjab: Suspected logistical hub for militant operations.

  4. Tehra Kalan: Believed to be a significant site for militant activities.

  Targets in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK):

  5. Muzaffarabad: Capital of PoK, hosting multiple militant camps.

  6. Kotli: Known for housing training camps linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.

  7. Bhimber: Strategic location with reported militant hideouts.

  8. Bagh: Area with suspected terrorist infrastructure.

  9. Gulpur: Identified as a logistical base for militant groups.

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  🛡️ Operational Details

  • Duration: Approximately 23 minutes.

  • Assets Deployed: Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Wikipedia

  • Outcome: India claims the elimination of around 70 militants, including high-value targets.

  These strikes were a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, where 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, were killed. India attributes the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, prompting this military action.

During Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces conducted precision airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. One significant target was the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), located in Bahawalpur, Punjab province, Pakistan. Wikipediawww.ndtv.com+1Business & Finance News+1

The strike on this location resulted in the deaths of ten family members of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, including:The Sun+8Latest news & breaking headlines+8www.ndtv.com+8

• His elder sister and her husband

• A nephew and his wife

• A niece

• Five children from his extended familywww.ndtv.com+2Business & Finance News+2The Economic Times+2Business Today+5www.ndtv.com+5Business & Finance News+5

Additionally, four close associates of Masood Azhar, including one of his aides and his mother, were also killed in the strike. mint+7www.ndtv.com+7Wikipedia+7

This operation was part of India’s response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The Indian government stated that the strikes were focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, and emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. Al Jazeera+3Wikipedia+3India Today+3

The targeting of the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, leading to the deaths of Masood Azhar’s family members and associates, underscores the precision and intent of Operation Sindoor in addressing specific terrorist threats.www.ndtv.com+1Business & Finance News+1

A Salute to the Indian Armed Forces

In the wake of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, the Indian Armed Forces have once again demonstrated unwavering resolve, strategic brilliance, and operational precision through Operation Sindoor.

This was not just a retaliation—it was a message: India will not tolerate terrorism, and those who harbor or support it will be held accountable.

From the pilots who flew into hostile airspace, to the intelligence agencies that identified the targets, to the leadership that planned with restraint and purpose—India salutes you.

🫡 Your courage, discipline, and dedication inspire a billion hearts.
🪖 Jai Hind.

🗣️ Official Statements from the Government of India

Press Information Bureau (PIB) Statement:

“A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. Altogether, nine (9) sites have been targeted.”
— Press Information Bureau, Government of India, May 7, 2025 www.ndtv.com+2Press Information Bureau+2The Times of India+2Wikipedia