Operation Sindoor: India’s 2025 Airstrikes After Pahalgam Attack
Operation Sindoor was a major military strike launched by India on May 6, 2025, in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that occurred on April 22, 2025. The attack, which killed 26 Hindu civilians, was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group linked to Pakistan-based terror organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. India blamed Pakistan for sheltering and supporting the terrorists—a charge Pakistan denied.
Purpose of Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor to send a clear message: cross-border terrorism would not be tolerated. The strikes were aimed specifically at terrorist infrastructure, not Pakistani military assets. The operation was designed to be a measured but powerful retaliation to eliminate threats without escalating into full-blown war.
Targets and Execution
The operation involved precision air and missile strikes on at least nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. These locations were suspected hubs for groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
India claimed the strikes were successful, with over 70 militants eliminated and minimal collateral damage. Indian sources reported the loss of one fighter jet, while Pakistan claimed it had shot down five Indian jets and a drone—claims India rejected.
Casualties and Impact
Pakistan reported that nine civilians, including a child, were killed and 38 others injured. These reports triggered widespread concern and calls for de-escalation from the global community. India maintained that every effort was made to avoid civilian areas and limit harm.
Aftermath and Reactions
The immediate effects were significant:
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Airspace closures over parts of both India and Pakistan
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Flight cancellations
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Suspension of diplomatic and trade activities
In India, Operation Sindoor received bipartisan political support. Leaders from all major parties praised the armed forces. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other officials described the operation as a justified, surgical response to terrorism.
Global Response
The United Nations and countries like the United States urged restraint, fearing escalation between two nuclear-armed nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for both sides to avoid further conflict. Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar responded by urging the world to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Strategic Significance
Operation Sindoor is seen as the most significant Indian military action since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. It highlighted India’s increasing reliance on intelligence-led, precise military operations and marked a shift in Indian strategy—favoring bold, calculated retaliation over passive diplomacy.
Operation Sindoor was a significant military action undertaken by India on May 6, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. This operation was launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. India attributed this attack to the Resistance Front, a group believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. The assault led to the deaths of 26 civilians, including women and children, and injured numerous others. The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian authorities accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting the perpetrators, a claim that Pakistan vehemently denied.
Execution of Operation Sindoor
In retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6, 2025. The operation involved coordinated air and missile strikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These sites were identified as terrorist infrastructures linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The Indian Air Force, supported by ground-based missile systems, executed precision strikes on locations including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. India asserted that the operation was carefully planned to avoid civilian casualties and did not target Pakistani military installations.
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
According to Pakistani authorities, the Indian strikes resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, including a child, and injured 38 others. Pakistan also claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and a drone during the operation. India, on the other hand, reported the loss of one fighter jet and stated that over 70 militants were killed in the strikes.
The operation led to significant disruptions, including the closure of airspace over northern India and Pakistan, cancellation of flights, and suspension of diplomatic and commercial ties between the two nations.
International Reactions
The escalation of tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors drew immediate international concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation. Similarly, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for a swift de-escalation of the conflict.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized the need for the international community to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorist.
Domestic Political Response in India
Operation Sindoor received widespread support across India’s political spectrum. Leaders from various parties, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, lauded the operation and expressed solidarity with the armed forces. The operation was seen as a decisive action against terrorism and a demonstration of India’s commitment to national security.
Strategic Implications
Operation Sindoor marked one of India’s most significant military responses since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. The operation underscored India’s willingness to take proactive measures against cross-border terrorism and signaled a shift towards a more assertive defense policy.
The operation also highlighted the importance of precision strikes and intelligence-driven military actions in modern warfare. By targeting specific terrorist infrastructures while avoiding civilian and military casualties, India aimed to minimize collateral damage and prevent a full-scale war.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor represents a significant development in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. While the operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructures and prevent future attacks, it also escalated tensions between the two nations. The international community’s calls for restraint underscore the potential risks of such military actions between nuclear-armed neighbors.
As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and address the root causes of the conflict. The success of such efforts will be crucial in ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.