India Launches Operation Sindoor in Retaliation for Pahalgam Terror Attack
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In a bold and decisive move, India has launched Operation Sindoor, a strategic airstrike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). This comes as a direct response to the brutal Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, including a Nepalese national, on April 22.
Conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed the operation across seven cities, hitting nine identified terrorist hideouts. According to initial intelligence reports, over 100 terrorists have been neutralized, and key headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were reduced to rubble.
24 Missiles Fired at Terror Camps Across Pakistan and POK
The operation, carried out with surgical precision, saw the IAF launch 24 missiles targeting enemy strongholds. Sources from news agency ANI confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored Operation Sindoor throughout the night, emphasizing the strategic importance and high-level coordination behind the mission.
The operation’s name, Sindoor, honors the wives of those martyred in the Pahalgam attack, symbolizing a vow to protect the dignity and sacrifice of Indian soldiers and civilians alike.
Conflicting Statements Emerge from Pakistan
Pakistan’s official narrative in response to the strikes appeared fragmented and inconsistent. Three different versions were reported within hours:
- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed India had fired missiles from within its own airspace, which struck civilian areas in Pakistan.
- Pakistani media alleged that six Indian fighter jets—including Rafale, MiG-29, and Sukhoi models—were shot down, and Indian checkpoints near the LoC were destroyed.
- ISPR Director Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry provided varying casualty figures—initially reporting three deaths at five sites, then later claiming eight civilian deaths, 35 injuries, and two missing persons across six locations.
India Targets Only Terror Outfits, Not Pakistani Military Bases
India clarified that its airstrikes were aimed solely at terror camps and did not involve any Pakistani military installations. According to official sources, the operation focused exclusively on infrastructure belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, avoiding civilian and military targets to maintain strategic precision and international protocol.
Terrorist Group TRF Denies Responsibility for Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam massacre, which sparked outrage across India, was initially claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, TRF later retracted its statement. The assailants were reported to have targeted tourists based on their religion, sparking further condemnation.
A Turning Point in India’s Counter-Terror Strategy
Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism, signaling a zero-tolerance policy and showcasing military precision. As geopolitical tensions rise, the world watches closely to see how Pakistan responds and how global powers engage diplomatically in this renewed conflict zone.
