New Delhi: In a swift and decisive response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, the Indian Armed Forces executed a series of precision strikes on multiple terrorist infrastructure sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of Wednesday. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’, marks a significant escalation in India’s counter-terrorism strategy and has sent shockwaves across the region.
The Union Government sources confirmed that the tri-services operation, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, commenced at approximately 1:44 AM. Nine locations, identified as key hubs for planning and directing terrorist activities against India, were targeted. These locations include Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad. Notably, Bahawalpur and Muridke are known strongholds of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist organizations, respectively.
In an official statement released shortly after the strikes, the Ministry of Defence emphasized that the operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature,” and that “no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.” The statement further reiterated India’s commitment to holding those responsible for the Pahalgam attack accountable. Soon after the announcement, the Indian Army tweeted a resolute message: “Justice is served. Jai Hind!”
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been running high since the April 22nd attack on tourists in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. India has consistently blamed Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism. In the days following the Pahalgam attack, top Indian leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had promised a strong retaliation.
In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had granted “full operational freedom” to the armed forces to devise a response strategy during a high-level meeting attended by the three service chiefs.
Key Highlights of Operation Sindoor:
- Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack: The strikes were a direct response to the terror attack that killed 26 people.
- Nine Terror Targets Hit: Locations across Pakistan and PoK, identified as terrorist infrastructure, were targeted.
- Tri-Services Operation: The Army, Navy, and Air Force were involved in the coordinated strikes.
- Precision Strikes: India emphasized the focused and non-escalatory nature of the operation, avoiding Pakistani military installations.
- International Reactions: Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, were reportedly briefed by India on the operation.
Security has been heightened along the Line of Control and the international border. Meanwhile, air travel across northern India is facing disruptions due to the heightened tensions.
A detailed briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’ by the Ministry of Defence is expected later today. The world watches with bated breath as this latest development unfolds in the complex and long-standing relationship between India and Pakistan.