Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strikes on Terror Infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK

On May 6, 2025, India initiated Operation Sindoor, a series of precision airstrikes targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This decisive action was in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 28 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, were brutally killed in Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack, carried out by militants associated with The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—marked one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The assailants selectively targeted non-Muslim tourists, sparing women to narrate the ordeal, thereby amplifying the horror of the incident.

Operation Sindoor: Strategic Execution and Targets

Objectives and Execution

• Timing: Launched in the early hours of May 6, 2025.
• Forces Involved: Coordinated efforts by the Indian Air Force, Army, and intelligence units.
• Weaponry: Utilization of precision-guided munitions and high-altitude drones to minimize collateral damage.
• Target Selection: Focused exclusively on verified terrorist infrastructure to avoid civilian casualties.

The Nine Targets

1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur – Jaish-e-Mohammed’s key radicalization and training center.
2. Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, Muridke – Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters.
3. Sarjal–Tehra Kalan, near PoK – Communication and coordination hub.
4. Markaz Abbas, Kotli – Terror logistics and training camp.
5. Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad – SSG-led training facility.
6. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala – Indoctrination and recruitment zone.
7. Shwawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad – Guerrilla warfare training site.
8. Makaz Raheel Shahid, Kotli – Arms handling and terror strategy center.
9. Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot – Funding and propaganda base.

These sites were identified based on intelligence inputs linking them to recent terror activities, including the Pahalgam attack.

Impact and Casualties

• Terrorist Casualties: Over 80–90 terrorists neutralized, including key commanders from JeM and LeT.
• Civilian Casualties: India reported zero civilian casualties, emphasizing the precision of the strikes.
• Infrastructure Damage: Significant disruption to training, recruitment, and terror launch operations.

India’s Official Stance

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the operation from the situation room, underscoring its significance.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and emphasized the legitimacy of the pre-emptive strikes.
• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh assured the nation of a “loud and clear response” to any threats against India’s sovereignty.

International Reactions

• Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” alleging civilian casualties and vowing retaliation.
• The United Nations and The United States called for restraint, urging both nations to de-escalate tensions.
• Global Observers acknowledged India’s right to self-defense while expressing concern over potential escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Background: The Pahalgam Terror Attack

• Date: April 22, 2025
• Location: Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir
• Casualties: 28 civilians killed, 20 injured
• Perpetrators: Five armed militants associated with The Resistance Front (TRF)
• Modus Operandi: Attackers singled out non-Muslim tourists, executing them after verifying their religion. Women were spared to narrate the incident, amplifying the psychological impact.
• Motivation: Opposition to Indian government policies allowing non-local settlement in Kashmir, perceived as demographic change.

Investigation and Aftermath

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe, identifying local terror aides and intensifying evidence collection. 
• Security Measures: Heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir, with search operations launched to apprehend the attackers.
• Diplomatic Actions:
  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ceases support for cross-border terrorism.
  • Closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
  • Revocation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.
  • Reduction of diplomatic staff strength at both High Commissions. 

Key Takeaways

• Operation Sindoor was a calibrated, intelligence-backed military strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
• The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 28 civilian lives.
• India emphasized the precision and restraint of the operation, avoiding civilian casualties.
• The international community has called for de-escalation, highlighting the risks of conflict between two nuclear-armed nations.

By – Nikita