Operation Sindoor: India’s Overnight Retaliatory Strikes Leave Pakistan Reeling — 10 Key Takeaways
Operation Sindoor: India’s Overnight Retaliatory Strikes Leave Pakistan Reeling — 10 Key Takeaways
New Delhi | May 7, 2025 — In a bold pre-dawn offensive, India launched a series of precision strikes targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The mission, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was executed by all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces and is being described as one of India’s most significant retaliatory actions in recent years.
Here’s a 10-point recap of everything that unfolded while the nation slept:
- Operation Launched Just After Midnight
At around 12:30 am, Indian forces initiated strikes on nine terror camps deep inside Pakistani territory and PoK, taking the adversary by surprise. The simultaneous air, ground, and missile-based attacks were coordinated under the codename Operation Sindoor. - Pahalgam Attack Triggered Response
The offensive came days after the deadly Pahalgam massacre, where 26 Indian and foreign tourists were killed in a suicide bombing attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. - Nine Key Terror Hubs Targeted
The operation struck critical terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad — locations linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. - High-Tech Weaponry Deployed
Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and Hammer precision-guided bombs led the airstrikes. These deep-penetration weapons were selected to ensure surgical impact while avoiding civilian zones. - Government Confirms ‘Measured’ Action
A statement released shortly after the strikes stressed that India had exercised “considerable restraint” and that “no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.” The strikes were termed “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” - First Signal Came on Social Media
The Indian Army dropped the first hint with a terse post on X (formerly Twitter): “Justice is served. Jai Hind!” It was accompanied by a video captioned: “Ready to strike, trained to win.” - PM Modi Personally Monitored Operation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had chaired several high-level meetings following the Pahalgam tragedy, was in constant touch with military leadership through the night, personally overseeing the mission’s execution. - Pakistan Calls It ‘An Act of War’
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes, calling them an “act of war” and alleging civilian casualties. Islamabad claimed eight people were killed and 33 injured, including women and children. - India Engages Diplomatically With Global Powers
India immediately briefed strategic allies — including the US, Russia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia. A detailed statement was also issued by the Indian embassy in Washington to assert credible links between Pakistan-based terrorists and the Pahalgam attack. - Heightened Alert in Border States
Civilian flight operations were suspended at Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Dharamshala, and Amritsar airports. Schools and colleges in parts of Kashmir remain closed today. Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control in Poonch-Rajouri killed three Indian civilians in the aftermath.
The situation remains tense as both nations brace for diplomatic and military fallout. US President Donald Trump remarked on the development, calling it a “shame” and adding, “I had a feeling something big was coming.”
