Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Back in Pakistan and PoK

In a significant military development, the Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a series of precision strikes on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, triggering widespread outrage and demands for decisive action.

Nine Terror Sites Targeted: Precision and Restraint Emphasized

According to a formal release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the strikes targeted a total of nine locations believed to house active terrorist infrastructure involved in planning and executing attacks against India. These include:

• A former Lashkar-e-Taiba base near Muzaffarabad in PoK
• A Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked seminary in Bahawalpur, Punjab Province
• A key infiltration hub in Kotli, PoK

The Indian government emphasized that no Pakistani military installations were targeted, and that the strikes were measured, focused, and non-escalatory in nature.

Objective: Neutralize Terror Infrastructure and Re-establish Deterrence

Restoring Strategic Deterrence Post-Balakot

Sources close to the Indian security establishment said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ is part of a broader strategy to restore deterrence that has been gradually eroded since the 2019 Balakot air strikes. A senior official stated that recent events made it evident that Pakistan-based terror groups had recalibrated their activities, believing India’s threshold for response had lowered.

The barbaric attack in Pahalgam served as a flashpoint. The attack, attributed to The Resistance Force (TRF)—a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba—claimed 26 lives, including pilgrims and local civilians, and provoked immediate calls for action from the Indian public and leadership.

Top-Level Military Coordination and Strategic Planning

Prime Minister Modi Leads Consultations with Defence Chiefs

The operation was launched following days of high-level meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and the top brass of the Indian Armed Forces, including:

• Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
• Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh
• Defence Secretary R K Singh

These meetings focused on reviewing retaliatory options, combat readiness, and intelligence assessments. The Army had already reinforced forward positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in anticipation of possible Pakistani retaliation.

Ground-Level Execution and Strategic Messaging

No Escalation—Only Accountability

Military officials have clarified that the operation was not intended to provoke a broader military confrontation, but to send an unambiguous message to terror networks and their sponsors.

Air and Ground Coordination Involved

Unconfirmed reports from Reuters and the New York Times suggest that Indian Air Force jets were seen over PoK, and multiple explosions were heard near Muzaffarabad and Kotli. These areas have long been known as hubs of terrorist activity, protected under Pakistan’s strategic depth doctrine.

Pakistan’s Response: Vows to Retaliate

In its first official response, the Pakistan military, speaking through broadcaster ARY, confirmed that India had launched missile attacks at three separate locations and warned that Pakistan would respond at a time and place of its choosing. No casualties or damage reports have been officially released by Islamabad yet.

Public and Political Reaction in India

The strikes have been met with approval and relief across much of India, particularly from families of the Pahalgam victims and from security analysts who have long advocated for a proactive doctrine against state-sponsored terror.

Political leaders across party lines have commended the Indian Armed Forces and Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Social media has seen a surge of support under hashtags like #OperationSindoor, #JusticeForPahalgam, and #IndiaStrikesBack.

What Lies Ahead: Strategic Calculations Continue

A more detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor is expected later in the day, where the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs will likely address operational outcomes, regional implications, and diplomatic messaging.

Maintaining Vigilance

Indian forces remain on high alert along the western front, with increased surveillance operations and cross-border intelligence gathering. Analysts caution that while the operation is a significant tactical success, it may trigger short-term escalation in the region.