Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Back After Pahalgam Attack, Targets 9 Terror Camps in Pakistan and PoK

New Delhi | May 7, 2025 – In a powerful and calculated response to the brutal Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a strategic and highly precise military offensive in the early hours of Wednesday. The mission targeted nine key terrorist infrastructure sites located deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoK).

The strikes mark a pivotal moment in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, following the massacre that took 26 innocent lives—25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national—just days ago in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

A Calibrated Strike, Avoiding Escalation

According to the Ministry of Defence, Operation Sindoor was meticulously planned to ensure zero civilian casualties and avoid hitting any Pakistani military installations, thereby signaling India’s non-escalatory yet resolute intent.

“This operation underscores India’s commitment to punishing those responsible for cross-border terrorism, while maintaining regional stability,” the Ministry stated.

The action sends a strong and clear message: India will hold perpetrators accountable, and acts of terror will not go unanswered.

Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan: Civilians Targeted

Just hours after the Indian airstrikes, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), specifically in the Bhimber Gali sector of Poonch-Rajouri. Tragically, three civilians were killed, and multiple homes were destroyed in what Indian officials called “indiscriminate firing” by the Pakistan Army.

“Three innocent civilians lost their lives in unprovoked artillery shelling by Pakistan. The Indian Army is giving a calibrated and proportionate response,” an Army official confirmed.

Rising Tensions: Airports Shut, Flights Cancelled

As the situation intensifies, multiple airports across North India have been temporarily shut, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays. Authorities have heightened surveillance and air defense protocols amid the escalating tensions.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Outreach

Amid growing concerns over possible regional escalation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint. Meanwhile, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held crucial conversations with US NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring India’s focus on diplomacy alongside defense.

“India’s outreach reflects its dual strategy—swift action on ground and sustained diplomatic engagement,” a senior official noted.

Pakistan’s Response: Vows Retaliation

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed that an assessment of the Indian strikes is underway and vowed a retaliatory response.

As of now, the situation along the LoC remains highly volatile, with defense analysts warning of possible escalations in the coming days.

Why Operation Sindoor Matters

Operation Sindoor is not just a retaliatory move—it is a signal of India’s evolved military doctrine, focused on precision, accountability, and controlled escalation. Unlike previous responses, this operation reflects a mature strategic posture, balancing national security and diplomatic restraint.

With eyes from around the world fixed on South Asia, the coming days will be crucial in determining how events unfold and whether both nuclear-armed nations can avoid further conflict.