On May 7, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This military action was a direct response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, including Hindu pilgrims and a Nepali national, were killed. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.
Targets and Execution of Operation Sindoor ,
The Indian Armed Forces targeted nine sites associated with terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Key locations included Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province and areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir like Muzaffarabad and Kotli. The strikes commenced at 1:44 AM IST and involved coordinated efforts from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. India emphasized that the operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aiming to avoid Pakistani military installations.
Casualties and Damage
India reported the elimination of over 70 militants and the destruction of multiple terror camps. Conversely, Pakistan claimed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, including a child, and injuries to 38 others. Pakistan also reported that a mosque in Bahawalpur was among the structures hit.
Escalation and Retaliation
In retaliation, Pakistan conducted missile strikes on Indian-administered Kashmir and claimed to have shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including five fighter jets and a drone. India confirmed the downing of a Pakistani fighter jet over Pulwama. Both nations reported civilian casualties resulting from cross-border shelling.
International Reactions
The international community expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and U.S. President Donald Trump urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid further military confrontation.
Impact on Civilian Life
The conflict led to significant disruptions in civilian life. Airports in northern India, including those in Srinagar, Leh, and Amritsar, were temporarily closed. Pakistan declared emergencies in hospitals across affected regions. The heightened military activity also caused widespread panic among civilians on both sides of the border.
Operation Sindoor represents one of the most significant military escalations between India and Pakistan since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. While India maintains that the operation was a necessary response to terrorism, Pakistan views it as an unprovoked act of aggression. The situation remains volatile, with both nations on high alert and the international community closely monitoring developments
