New Delhi: In a decisive retaliatory action, the Indian armed forces conducted 24 precision missile strikes on nine terror targets within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) early Wednesday morning.
This operation, codenamed ‘Sindoor’, was a direct response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22nd, which tragically claimed 26 lives.
Briefing the media, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the operation, stating that the strikes, carried out at precisely 1:44 AM, targeted key infrastructure belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Notably, targets included Muridke and Bahawalpur, known strongholds of these Pakistan-based terror outfits.
Col Sofiya Qureshi, and Wg Cdr. Vyomika Singh were present in the Media Briefing.
With Operation Sindoor, India exercised its right to respond and prempt, as well as deter more such cross-border attacks, said Foreign Secretary.
“These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India,” he said.
“The operation was focused on dismantling the terror infrastructure that continues to pose a grave threat to India’s security,” Secretary Shri Misri asserted. He further revealed that intelligence reports indicate over 70 terrorists were neutralized and more than 60 sustained injuries in the strikes, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of LeT and JeM.
The Ministry of Defence, in an official statement released shortly after the briefing, corroborated the details of the operation. The statement emphasized that the targets were carefully chosen terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and POK, “from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”
Reiterating India’s commitment to a measured response, the Defence Ministry stressed, “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.” The statement underlined that the operation was a clear message that India would hold those responsible for the Pahalgam attack accountable.
This decisive action comes just hours before a scheduled nationwide security mock drill aimed at bolstering civil defence preparedness in the event of a hostile attack, spanning 244 districts across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously issued a strong statement vowing to relentlessly pursue the perpetrators and conspirators behind the Pahalgam attack, promising to inflict punishment “beyond their imagination.” Operation Sindoor appears to be the first concrete step in fulfilling that commitment.
The international community is closely watching the developments, with analysts anticipating a range of reactions to India’s assertive move.