In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, the Indian armed forces launched a military operation named Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This action followed the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 civilians, including a tourist from Nepal, were killed. The Ministry of Defence released a statement confirming the strikes, stating that Indian forces had hit specific locations that were being used to plan and direct terrorist operations against India.

The strikes were carried out as a direct and calculated response to the Pahalgam massacre. The incident had caused nationwide outrage and condemnation, with strong calls for a decisive response. In line with this sentiment, the Indian military conducted precision strikes at nine specific sites linked to terror groups across the border. The operation began at 1:44 AM and was executed with a focus on minimizing escalation while delivering a strong message. According to sources, four of the targets were located within Pakistan’s territory, while the remaining five were situated in PoJK.

Officials stated that great care was taken to avoid targeting Pakistani military installations. The strikes specifically hit locations associated with three known terrorist organizations: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). These groups were believed to have been directly involved in orchestrating or supporting the Pahalgam attack. Intelligence-based air strikes were used to destroy the infrastructure at each of these nine sites.

Following the operation, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the names and locations of the targeted areas, all of which were reported to be used by the aforementioned terror outfits. These included sites in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Tehra Kalan, Sialkot, Barnala, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. India’s action, while forceful, was described by the military as being focused and restrained. Nonetheless, the operation has led to increased tension along the Line of Control. Soon after the strikes, Pakistan responded with heavy artillery fire in various sectors. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly declared on social media that Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate.

In anticipation of potential escalations, Indian authorities implemented several precautionary measures. All educational institutions in districts such as Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch were ordered shut for the day. University exams were postponed, and the airport in Srinagar was temporarily closed, with multiple flight cancellations reported in both Jammu Kashmir and some parts of Punjab.

To ensure nationwide preparedness, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered civil defence mock drills in 244 districts across the country. These drills are aimed at testing emergency response systems and ensuring public safety in the event of further hostilities. Operation Sindoor thus marks a significant military and political development in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, highlighting both the Indian governments firm stance against terrorism and the volatile nature of the region’s security dynamics.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.