Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor is the name given to a major military strike launched by India on May 8, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 28 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government blamed the attack on militant groups based in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In a coordinated operation involving both air and ground forces, India targeted several alleged terrorist training camps and launchpads across the Line of Control and deep within Pakistani territory, including the Bahawalpur district. The operation marks one of the most significant escalations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent years.

According to official statements from India’s Ministry of Defence, the strikes were precise and aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure without causing unnecessary collateral damage. The Indian Air Force reportedly used guided munitions and drones to carry out nighttime operations, while artillery units engaged in heavy shelling along the border. India’s leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, stated that the operation was necessary to send a clear message that acts of terror against Indian civilians would be met with decisive force.

Pakistan, however, has strongly condemned the strikes, calling them an unprovoked act of aggression. Its government claimed that the Indian attacks led to the deaths of over 30 civilians, including women and children, and vowed to respond “at a time and place of its choosing.” In retaliation, Pakistani forces have engaged in sustained artillery shelling across the Line of Control, leading to additional civilian casualties on both sides. The heightened military activity has raised alarms internationally, with concerns about the potential for full-scale war between two nations with nuclear capabilities.

The global community has responded with urgent calls for restraint. While the United States, through Vice President JD Vance, emphasized non-intervention, urging both sides to avoid escalation, other countries such as Russia and France have called for diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict. Back in India, schools have been closed in border areas, airports placed on high alert, and several cultural and sporting events, including Indian Premier League matches, have been canceled. Operation Sindoor has not only altered the regional security calculus but also underscored the fragile nature of peace in South Asia.