Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strike Against Terrorist Infrastructure

By author getodisha May 7, 20250

Key Points

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
It involved a rare joint effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, the first since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
India claims the strikes were precise, targeting only terrorist infrastructure, while Pakistan alleges civilian casualties and calls it an “act of war.”
The operation has heightened tensions, with both sides reporting shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).
International responses, including from the US and UN, urge restraint to avoid escalation, reflecting the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations.

What Was Operation Sindoor?

On May 7, 2025, at 1:44 AM IST, India conducted Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and PoK. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Using precision weapons and drones, India aimed to dismantle terror networks linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, while emphasizing no Pakistani military facilities were hit.

Why Did It Happen?

The Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley was a brutal assault by five militants, allegedly from The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. The attack, the deadliest since 2008, prompted India to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism, leading to Operation Sindoor.

How Has the World Reacted?

The US, through President Donald Trump, expressed hope for a quick resolution, noting the long-standing India-Pakistan conflict (Times of India). The UN voiced concern, urging both nations to avoid further conflict. India briefed several countries, including the US, UK, and Russia, to explain its actions.

What’s Next?

With Pakistan vowing retaliation and ongoing LoC shelling, the situation remains tense. The international community is watching closely, hoping for de-escalation to prevent a broader conflict between these nuclear-armed neighbors.

Operation Sindoor: A Detailed Examination of India’s Retaliatory Strike

Introduction

On May 7, 2025, at 1:44 AM IST, India launched Operation Sindoor, a significant military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, predominantly tourists. The operation, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, marks a historic joint effort not seen since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, highlighting India’s resolve to combat cross-border terrorism.

Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack

The Pahalgam attack occurred in the scenic Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Five armed militants, believed to be from The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—opened fire on tourists, killing 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen (Wikipedia). The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, targeted mostly Hindu tourists, though a Christian tourist and a local Muslim were also among the victims. This incident, the deadliest civilian attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, sparked nationwide outrage and prompted immediate security measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closure of the Attari border post (The Hindu).

The attack was linked to a Pakistan-based terror unit, with investigations revealing that the militants trekked 20-22 hours through rugged terrain to execute their plan (India Today). The Resistance Front claimed responsibility, citing opposition to non-local settlement policies in Kashmir, further escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor: Execution and Objectives

Operation Sindoor was a meticulously planned operation involving all three branches of the Indian armed forces, a rare collaboration not seen in over five decades (NDTV). Launched at 1:44 AM on May 7, 2025, the operation targeted nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and PoK, including the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke. Other targeted locations included Sialkot, Chak Amru, Gulpur, Bhimber, Bagh, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.

The Indian forces employed advanced precision strike weapon systems and Kamikaze drones (loitering munitions) to ensure accuracy and minimize collateral damage (NDTV). The operation was described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” with the Indian Ministry of Defence emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted (The Hindu). Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitored the operation throughout the night, and a detailed briefing was scheduled for later on May 7, 2025.

The operation’s primary objective was to dismantle terrorist infrastructure responsible for planning and directing attacks against India, particularly in response to the Pahalgam massacre. The Indian government stated, “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable” (Times of India).

Operation Sindoor Details	Information
Date and Time	May 7, 2025, 1:44 AM IST
Forces Involved	Indian Army, Navy, Air Force
Targets	Nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK (e.g., Bahawalpur, Muridke)
Weapons Used	Precision strike systems, Kamikaze drones
Objective	Dismantle terrorist infrastructure linked to Pahalgam attack
Monitoring	Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian Government’s Position

The Indian Ministry of Defence issued a statement at approximately 1:45 AM on May 7, 2025, outlining the operation’s scope and intent. The statement highlighted the operation’s precision and restraint, noting that only terrorist infrastructure was targeted to avoid escalation (The Hindu). The ministry’s post on X declared, “Focused strikes were carried out on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting the roots of cross-border terror planning.”

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed counterparts in the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Russia, ensuring transparency with key international partners (CNN). The operation was framed as a necessary response to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, with Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar stating on X, “Operation Sindoor – precise, ruthless, & unforgiving. Pahalgam martyrs avenged” (LiveMint).

Pakistan’s Response

Pakistan’s response was swift and critical. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” asserting that Pakistan has “every right to respond forcefully” (India Today). Pakistani officials reported that six locations were struck, resulting in eight deaths and 38 injuries, including civilians (India Today). Pakistan’s military spokesperson claimed strikes occurred in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, with some reports alleging civilian targets, such as a mosque, were hit.

Pakistan also claimed to have shot down Indian aircraft, with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stating that five planes were downed (The Independent). However, Indian officials refuted these claims, and reports suggest Pakistani media circulated misinformation, including old images, to exaggerate their response (India Today). Pakistan’s National Security Committee convened at 10:30 AM on May 7, 2025, to discuss further actions.

The Pakistani military retaliated with heavy mortar shelling along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts, resulting in three civilian deaths on the Indian side (The Hindu). In response, schools and colleges in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch were closed, and commercial flights in northern India, including routes to Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, were suspended until at least noon on May 7, 2025.

International Reactions

The international community responded cautiously, reflecting the delicate balance of India-Pakistan relations. US President Donald Trump, commenting on May 7, 2025, expressed hope that the escalation would “end very quickly,” noting the historical context of the conflict (Times of India). The US had previously affirmed its support for India’s fight against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack, and NSA Ajit Doval’s briefing to US officials underscored diplomatic engagement (NDTV).

The United Nations, through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, expressed concern over the military operations, stating that “the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan” (Newsweek). The UN called for maximum restraint from both sides to prevent further escalation.

India briefed several nations, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Russia, to clarify its actions and maintain international support (CNN). Indian-origin US Congressman Shri Thanedar supported India’s right to defend its people, reflecting some international backing for India’s stance (Times of India).

Regional and Civilian Impact

The operation and subsequent Pakistani shelling had immediate regional consequences. In India, civilian casualties along the LoC prompted heightened security measures, including the closure of educational institutions in affected districts (India Today). Air India canceled flights to several northern airports, and two international flights were diverted to Delhi, reflecting the disruption to civilian life.

In Pakistan, the reported civilian casualties fueled public and governmental outrage, with social media posts amplifying claims of Indian aggression. However, Indian sources noted a wave of misinformation from Pakistan, including false claims of retaliatory strikes on Indian targets (NDTV).

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor represents a bold and coordinated effort by India to address cross-border terrorism, specifically targeting infrastructure linked to the Pahalgam attack. While India maintains that the operation was precise and restrained, Pakistan’s strong condemnation and retaliatory actions have heightened tensions, raising fears of further escalation. The international community, led by the US and UN, is urging both nuclear-armed nations to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions. As the situation evolves, the detailed briefing promised by the Indian government later on May 7, 2025, may provide further clarity on the operation’s outcomes and future steps.