1. Introduction: Operation Sindoor – A Strategic Countermeasure

In a decisive response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. This operation involved precision missile strikes on nine locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, aiming to dismantle terrorist infrastructures linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

2. Background: The Pahalgam Tragedy

On April 22, 2025, five militants attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district. The assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, separating them based on religious identity before executing them. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers demanded victims recite Islamic verses to determine their faith. The attack resulted in 26 deaths, including a Nepali tourist, and was captured on video by a tourist, leading to widespread outrage across India.

3. Execution of Operation Sindoor

In retaliation, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, conducting coordinated air and missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The targets were identified as training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India described the strikes as precision operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and deterring future attacks.

4. Immediate Aftermath and International Reactions

• Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting civilian casualties, including women and children. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft and vowed retaliation. Wikipedia
• International Community: The operation significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed its borders. Pakistan responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace. Both nations reported skirmishes along the Line of Control. International actors, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate the situation.

5. Five Most Commonly Asked Questions

Q1: What prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor?
Answer: The operation was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups.

Q2: What were the primary targets of Operation Sindoor?
Answer: The operation targeted nine locations identified as training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Q3: How did Pakistan respond to the strikes?
Answer: Pakistan condemned the strikes as unprovoked aggression, reported civilian casualties, claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft, and vowed retaliation.

Q4: What has been the international community’s reaction?
Answer: International actors, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, have called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate the situation.

Q5: What is the significance of the name ‘Operation Sindoor’?
Answer: The operation was named ‘Sindoor’ referring to the red vermilion powder worn by married Hindu women, symbolizing the widows left by the Pahalgam attack that specifically targeted Hindu men.

6. Conclusion: A Turning Point in India-Pakistan Relations

Operation Sindoor marks one of the most significant military engagements between India and Pakistan in recent years. It highlights India’s shift towards a more assertive stance in responding to cross-border terrorism. The operation also underscores the persistent volatility in the Kashmir region and the potential for rapid escalation between the two countries. As both nations navigate the aftermath, the international community watches closely, urging restraint and peaceful resolution.