Operation Sindoor: Opposition parties commend Indian Armed Forces
Political leaders commend Indian Armed Forces for precise strikes on
terror targets, emphasizing unity and accountability in action.
Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Terror Camps, Pakistan Shelling Kills 12 Civilians in J&K.
The strikes, described as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible” by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, aimed to dismantle terrorist camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, without targeting Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure.However, the operation triggered an intense retaliatory response from Pakistan, with heavy artillery and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, and Baramulla districts. The shelling, which began shortly after midnight on May 6–7 and continued into May 8, resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians, including three women and three children, and one Indian soldier, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5th Field Regiment. Over 50 civilians were injured, and significant damage was reported to homes, vehicles, and religious sites, including a gurdwara in Poonch.
The escalating tensions prompted the Indian government to call an all-party meeting on May 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the Parliament Complex, New Delhi, to discuss the situation and chart a unified response. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Operation Sindoor, its strategic execution, Pakistan’s retaliatory actions, and the broader implications for India-Pakistan relations.
Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack
The catalyst for Operation Sindoor was the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. Terrorists, later linked to the LeT-affiliated Resistance Front, selectively targeted Hindu men, killing 25 male tourists and a local guide in front of their families. Among the victims was Navy officer Vinay Narwal, whose family later praised the operation’s symbolic name, “Sindoor,” which refers to the red vermillion worn by Hindu women to signify their married status—a poignant nod to the widows left behind.
The attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, sparked widespread outrage in India and abroad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to survivors’ accounts that the terrorists taunted them to “go tell Modi,” granted the armed forces full operational freedom to retaliate. Intelligence reports identified nine high-value terrorist sites in Pakistan and PoJK, including LeT’s Markaz Taiba in Muridke—where 26/11 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab was trained—and JeM’s Subhan Allah camp in Bahawalpur, as key planning and training hubs for the Pahalgam attack.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic Execution
Targets and ExecutionOperation Sindoor was a technologically advanced, multi-pronged operation involving 24 precision missile strikes on nine terrorist sites—four in Pakistan’s Punjab province (including Bahawalpur and Muridke) and five in PoJK (including Muzaffarabad and Kotli). The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale jets armed with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, supported by loitering munitions (also known as suicide or Kamikaze drones) developed by a Bengaluru-based private company in collaboration with an Israeli firm.The strikes, conducted from Indian airspace between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM on May 7, targeted:Abbas Terrorist Camp, Kotli (PoJK): A LeT nerve center for training suicide bombers, located 13 km from the LoC, destroyed at 1:04 AM.Subhan Allah Camp, Bahawalpur (Pakistan): A JeM stronghold, reduced to rubble.Markaz Taiba, Muridke (Pakistan): A LeT training facility linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.Other sites in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur, Sawai, Bilal, Barnala, Sarjal, and Mehmoona camps in PoJK, used for planning attacks against India.
The operation, which lasted 25 minutes, was designed to avoid civilian casualties and Pakistani military installations, reflecting India’s commitment to a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” response. Post-strike satellite imagery and videos released by the Indian Army confirmed the destruction of key terrorist infrastructure, with estimates suggesting at least 70 terrorists were neutralized.
Strategic Significance
Operation Sindoor marked a significant evolution in India’s counter-terrorism strategy. Unlike the 2016 Uri surgical strikes or the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, which were localized, Sindoor was the most expansive cross-border operation since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The strikes in Pakistan’s Punjab province, particularly Muridke and Bahawalpur, were unprecedented, signaling India’s willingness to target terrorist infrastructure deep within Pakistani territory..jpeg)
The operation’s codename, “Sindoor,” carried emotional and symbolic weight, resonating with the Indian public as a tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam attack. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised the name for its “brilliant” symbolism, while families of victims, such as Vinay Narwal’s father, Rajesh Narwal, expressed gratitude for the government’s decisive action.
Diplomatic Outreach
India proactively briefed 13 of the 15 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members, excluding Pakistan, on the operation’s objectives. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, emphasized that the strikes were a response to Pakistan’s inaction against terrorist groups following the Pahalgam attack. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also engaged with counterparts in the US, UK, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Japan to clarify India’s position and prevent misinterpretations.
Pakistan’s Retaliatory Shelling
Casualties and DamagePakistan’s response was swift and devastating. Beginning shortly after midnight on May 6–7, 2025, the Pakistan Army resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling across the LoC and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. The shelling, described as one of the most intense ceasefire violations in recent years, targeted civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, and Baramulla districts.In Poonch, the worst-hit district, 12 civilians, including three women and three children, were killed, and 51 others were injured. Among the casualties were four members of the Sikh community, including a woman, and a Muslim cleric, Quari Mohammad Iqbal, from Darul Uloom Madarsa. A gurdwara, Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib, and Christ School in Poonch were damaged, prompting strong condemnation from Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who called the attack on the gurdwara a “war crime.”
At least 12 civilians dead, over 50 injured in shelling by
Pakistan in J&K.
Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5th Field Regiment was killed during the shelling in Poonch, with the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps saluting his sacrifice. The shelling caused widespread destruction, with dozens of houses, vehicles, and shops reduced to rubble. In Uri and Tangdhar (Kupwara), nine civilians were injured, and over a dozen structures were damaged.
Continued Aggression
Pakistan’s shelling continued into May 8, with cross-border firing reported in Kupwara’s Karnah area, as well as Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors. The Indian Army responded proportionately, destroying several Pakistani posts and inflicting significant military casualties. However, Pakistan’s targeting of civilian areas drew sharp criticism from Indian defense experts, who labeled it a “war crime.”
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed that India’s strikes killed 26 civilians, including children, and injured 46 others, alleging that civilian areas, including mosques, were targeted. These claims remain unverified, with India maintaining that only terrorist infrastructure was hit. Pakistan also claimed to have shot down five Indian jets, including Rafales, and two drones, but provided no evidence, leading analysts to dismiss these as attempts to shape international opinion.
Domestic and International Reactions
India’s ResponseThe Indian government and public rallied behind Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a “proud moment” during a Cabinet meeting, while Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the armed forces’ precision and restraint. Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, commended the operation, emphasizing national unity against terrorism.J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared that Operation Sindoor sent a clear message: “No matter where terrorists hide, our forces will find and punish them.” He directed district commissioners to evacuate villagers from vulnerable areas and provide boarding, lodging, food, medical care, and transportation.The government implemented several precautionary measures:Airport Closures: Twenty-one airports in northern and northwestern India, including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, were shut until May 10, 2025, leading to over 140 flight cancellations, including international routes.
Security
personnel stand guard in Wuyan, in Jammu and Kashmir , after a loud explosion
was heard on May 7, 2025.
School Closures: All educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, and border districts of Punjab and Rajasthan were closed on May 7 and 8. Kashmir University and Cluster University Srinagar postponed exams until May 10.
Civil Defense Drills: Nationwide mock drills, including blackouts in Amritsar and Ayodhya, were conducted to enhance public preparedness.
Cybersecurity: Banks strengthened cybersecurity measures, establishing 24-hour war rooms to counter potential cyber threats.
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan’s National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, authorized its armed forces to take “corresponding actions,” labeling India’s strikes a “violation of sovereignty.” Sharif claimed Pakistan’s air defenses neutralized an Indian offensive involving “80 aircraft” and shot down five jets, though these claims lack substantiation. Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours, suspending commercial flights at Lahore and Islamabad airports, and shut schools and colleges in Punjab.
Global ReactionsGlobal powers urged de-escalation, with several expressing concern over the rising tensions:United States: President Donald Trump expressed hope that the conflict would “end quickly” and offered to mediate, stating, “If I can do anything to help, I will be there.”Qatar, Spain, and Others: Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, along with leaders from Spain, Iran, Japan, France, Germany, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, called for restraint and diplomatic engagement.
Operation Sindoor: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
reviews civil defence preparedness.
Singapore and Ukraine: Singapore issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to India and Pakistan, while Ukraine called for calm and diplomacy.
The US, UK, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Japan were briefed by India’s NSA Ajit Doval, reinforcing India’s stance that the strikes targeted only terrorist infrastructure.
Impact on Jammu and Kashmir
The Kashmir Valley remained calm but tense, with fear palpable among residents. Srinagar airport was closed to civilian traffic, and hospitals marked their buildings with red crosses as a precautionary measure. Traffic in Srinagar was sparse, and most parents kept children home despite schools remaining open in non-border areas.
In Poonch, the shelling caused widespread panic, with residents fleeing to safer areas or taking refuge in underground bunkers. Over 150 residents of Dhaki village relocated to relatives’ homes, and the local administration facilitated evacuations to designated safe zones in Chandak, Lassana, Sanai, and Sathra. Visuals showed homes reduced to rubble, shattered glass, and debris-littered streets.
Control rooms were established across 10 districts of Kashmir to monitor developments and coordinate interdepartmental responses. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired an emergency meeting with deputy commissioners of border districts, ensuring preparedness for exigencies.
Political and Social Sentiment
Operation Sindoor garnered widespread domestic support, with political leaders across party lines uniting behind the armed forces. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Tripura CM Manik Saha congratulated the forces, with Naidu emphasizing civil defense preparedness.
India briefs UNSC members minus Pakistan
India's response to Pahalgam attack explained to UNSC envoys,
highlighting Pakistan's support to terror groups and China's role.
Public sentiment, reflected in social media posts, was overwhelmingly patriotic. The Indian Army’s X post declaring “Justice is Served. Jai Hind!” went viral, and families of Pahalgam victims, such as Shubham Dwivedi’s wife Ashanya, thanked PM Modi for “taking revenge.” Posts on X also speculated about a potential “Operation Sindoor 2.0,” with reports suggesting the army was preparing to target 12 remaining terror hubs, though these claims remain unconfirmed.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
Operation Sindoor represents a bold shift in India’s strategic posture, demonstrating its capability to conduct deep strikes while maintaining diplomatic restraint. The operation’s success in destroying key terrorist infrastructure, without collateral damage to Pakistani civilians or military assets, underscores India’s technological and tactical advancements.However, Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling and claims of civilian casualties risk escalating tensions. Pakistan’s attempts to project itself as a victim, coupled with unverified claims of downing Indian jets, indicate a focus on shaping international optics. The days ahead will be critical for diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pakistan NSC authorises armed forces to take ‘corresponding
actions’
NSC authorizes Pakistani armed forces to respond to India's strikes,
claiming violation of sovereignty and casualties.
The all-party meeting on May 8 will likely focus on reinforcing national unity, assessing the security situation, and strategizing India’s response to Pakistan’s aggression. The government’s proactive engagement with the UNSC and global powers reflects its intent to maintain international support while countering Pakistan’s narrative.
Operation Sindoor was a decisive and symbolic response to the Pahalgam terror attack, showcasing India’s resolve to combat terrorism with precision and restraint. The destruction of nine terrorist camps, including LeT and JeM strongholds, dealt a significant blow to terror networks operating from Pakistan and PoJK. However, Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling, which claimed 12 civilian lives and one soldier, has heightened tensions, plunging Jammu and Kashmir into a state of fear and uncertainty.
As India navigates this volatile situation, the all-party meeting on May 8, 2025, will be pivotal in shaping its next steps. The international community’s call for de-escalation underscores the need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further violence. Operation Sindoor, while a tactical success, has opened a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations, with the potential for both resolution and escalation. The sacrifices of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar and the civilians killed in Poonch serve as a somber reminder of the human cost of this enduring conflict.
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