In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India launched a military operation that shook the world. Operation Sindoor – a name that will now be remembered in history books. It was India’s answer to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent people on April 22. I woke up to this news like many Indians, and felt a mix of shock, pride, and concern about what might happen next.
The operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It was quick – just 25 minutes – but powerful enough to send a clear message: India will not sit quietly when its people are attacked.
What happened during Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was like a lightning strike in the dark. Between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM on May 7, Indian armed forces fired 24 missiles at nine terror camps1. The whole thing took just 25 minutes. Quick, precise, and powerful.
The operation was carried out by all three wings of our military – Army, Navy, and Air Force working together. They used special missiles that could hit targets with pin-point accuracy. Some of these weapons included:
- SCALP cruise missiles with a range over 250 km
- HAMMER precision-guided bombs
- Loitering munitions (like drone missiles)
These weren’t random attacks. Each target was carefully chosen after months of watching and gathering information. The strikes killed about 70 terrorists and injured many more.
I remember thinking – how must it have felt for those who planned the Pahalgam attack? Did they expect such a strong response? Maybe they thought India would only give warnings like sometimes happened in the past.
Why did India launch Operation Sindoor?
The simple answer is: to get justice for the Pahalgam attack victims. On April 22, terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 people (25 Indians and 1 Nepali). This attack made everyone in India very angry and sad.
But there was more to it. India had information that more attacks were being planned. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained: “Our intelligence indicated that further attacks against India are impending.”
So Operation Sindoor had two main goals:
- To punish those behind the Pahalgam attack
- To stop future attacks by destroying terror camps
It’s like when a bully keeps troubling you – sometimes you need to stand up strongly once to stop the bullying for good. India wanted to send a clear message that terrorism will face serious consequences.
Which terror camps did India target in Operation Sindoor?
The Indian forces didn’t just attack any places. They carefully chose nine locations where terrorists were training and planning attacks against India. These camps belonged to three main terror groups:
- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) – The group behind the 2019 Pulwama attack
- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – Responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks
- Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) – Known for attacks in Kashmir
Here’s the complete list of places that were hit:
- Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur (JeM)
- Markaz Taiba, Muridke (LeT)
- Sarjal, Tehra Kalan (JeM)
- Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot (HM)
- Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala (LeT)
- Markaz Abbas, Kotli (JeM)
- Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli (HM)
- Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad (LeT)
- Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad (JeM)
What’s interesting is that some of these places had a dark history. During the press conference, Indian officials revealed that they destroyed camps where terrorists like Ajmal Kasab (from the Mumbai attacks) and David Headley had trained. It feels like closing a chapter of pain from India’s past.
How is Operation Sindoor different from previous strikes?
Operation Sindoor wasn’t India’s first strike against terror camps. We’ve had the Uri surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. But this one was special in many ways.
First, it was much bigger. Previous operations targeted just one or two locations, but Operation Sindoor hit nine places at once. It was like comparing a single punch to a full boxing match!
Second, the technology used was more advanced. The Indian forces used high-precision missiles that could hit exact targets from far away. They didn’t even need to cross into Pakistani airspace for most strikes.
Third, this operation involved all three military services working together – Army, Navy, and Air Force1. This shows how India’s military coordination has improved.
A government source explained it well: “The sheer scale of militant loss sent a strong message to terrorist networks and their handlers. India now reserves the right to strike preemptively, and no location is beyond reach.”
I remember the Balakot strikes in 2019, and how there was so much debate about how effective they were. But this time, India released clear before-and-after images showing the destroyed camps. No room for doubt.
What was Pakistan’s response to Operation Sindoor?
As expected, Pakistan wasn’t happy. Soon after the strikes, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on social media that Pakistan “reserves the right to retaliate”.
Pakistan claimed that 26 people were killed and 46 injured in the Indian attacks. They called it an “act of war”2. But India maintained that it only targeted terror camps, not civilian or military installations.
Pakistan also started firing across the Line of Control in several sectors. According to Indian Army reports, “During the night of 06-07 May 2025, the Pakistan Army resorted to arbitrary firing, including artillery shelling from posts across the Line of Control and IB opposite J&K. Three innocent civilians lost their lives in indiscriminate firing/shelling.”
It’s sad that innocent people died because of this escalation. War and conflict always hurt common people the most. I wonder if there could have been another way… but then I remember the faces of those who died in Pahalgam, and I understand why India felt it had to act.
What evidence did India provide about Operation Sindoor?
One thing that makes Operation Sindoor stand out is how transparent India was about it. The government shared videos and photos as proof of the strikes.
In one video, you can see a crowd of people on a busy road at night. Suddenly, there’s a whistling sound and a massive explosion. A bright orange fireball lights up the sky, and people can be heard praying and shouting in panic.
The Indian Armed Forces also released satellite images showing before-and-after views of the terror camps. These images clearly show the buildings before the strikes and the destruction afterward.
During a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh presented detailed information about the operation. They explained which targets were hit and why they were chosen.
This level of transparency helps build credibility. It’s like saying, “We did what we said we did, and here’s the proof.” It leaves little room for denial or alternative narratives.
Who were the key figures involved in planning Operation Sindoor?
Behind every successful military operation are brilliant minds who plan and execute it. For Operation Sindoor, several key figures played important roles:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi – He reportedly monitored the operation throughout the night.
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval – According to reports, he held over 15 high-level meetings with security and defense officials to plan the operation.
- RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) – India’s intelligence agency provided the coordinates of the nine key locations before the strikes.
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri – He was one of the officials who briefed the media after the operation1.
- Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh – They provided technical details about the operation during the press briefing.
It’s worth noting that two women officers – Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh – were part of the official briefing team. This shows the important role women are playing in India’s defense establishment.
What were the international reactions to Operation Sindoor?
The international community closely watched how this situation unfolded. When two nuclear-armed neighbors have military exchanges, the whole world gets concerned.
The operation came after the United Nations Security Council had issued a statement on the Pahalgam attack. Foreign Secretary Misri referenced this, saying the UN had underlined the “need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice”.
While specific country reactions weren’t detailed in the available information, such operations typically draw mixed responses. Western allies often support India’s right to self-defense while calling for restraint from both sides.
What’s important is that India emphasized that its actions were “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible”. This language is carefully chosen to signal to the international community that India doesn’t want a wider conflict but will defend itself when necessary.
What impact will Operation Sindoor have on India-Pakistan relations?
Relations between India and Pakistan have always been complicated – like a roller coaster with more downs than ups. Operation Sindoor will definitely make things more tense in the short term.
The strikes represent what experts call “a departure from prior doctrine”. India is showing that it’s willing to strike deep inside Pakistan if terror attacks continue.
Pakistan has already responded with artillery fire across the Line of Control. There’s a risk of further escalation if either side takes additional military actions.
But maybe – just maybe – this could lead to a rethinking on Pakistan’s side about supporting terror groups. If the cost becomes too high, there might be more effort to control these groups.
I remember growing up hearing about India-Pakistan tensions. It’s been a constant in our lives. Sometimes I wonder if our children will grow up in a more peaceful neighborhood. Operations like Sindoor make me both hopeful (that terrorism will be deterred) and worried (about escalation) at the same time.
How did the Indian public react to Operation Sindoor?
Though the search results don’t specifically mention public reactions, as an Indian, I can imagine the mixed feelings across the country. There would be a sense of pride that India acted decisively to protect its citizens. Many would feel that justice was served for the Pahalgam victims.
The Indian Army’s post on social media simply said “Justice is served” – a sentiment many Indians would share.
At the same time, there would be concerns about what happens next. Will there be more attacks? Will the situation escalate? Will our soldiers and civilians near the border be safe?
In border areas of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, there would be heightened anxiety. Families living near the Line of Control might worry about increased shelling or firing.
But overall, when a country takes strong action against terrorism, citizens usually rally behind their armed forces. The operation’s success – hitting all nine targets without losing any aircraft – would add to the sense of national pride.
What lessons can be learned from Operation Sindoor?
Every major military operation teaches us something. From Operation Sindoor, several important lessons emerge:
- Technology matters – India’s use of advanced precision weapons allowed it to conduct effective strikes without putting pilots at risk by flying deep into enemy territory.
- Intelligence is crucial – The success of the operation depended on accurate intelligence about the location of terror camps.
- Tri-service coordination works – The joint operation by Army, Navy, and Air Force showed the effectiveness of integrated planning.
- Transparency builds credibility – By providing evidence of the strikes, India strengthened its case both domestically and internationally.
- Measured response is key – India emphasized that it targeted only terror infrastructure, not military installations, showing restraint even while taking strong action.
Perhaps the biggest lesson is that terrorism has a cost. When countries harbor terrorist groups, they risk serious consequences. Maybe this will make those who support terrorism think twice in the future.
What might happen next after Operation Sindoor?
The future is always uncertain, especially when it comes to India-Pakistan relations. But we can make some educated guesses about what might happen next:
- Heightened border tensions – We’re already seeing increased firing across the Line of Control. This might continue for some time.
- Diplomatic efforts – International powers might step in to prevent further escalation. Back-channel talks could begin.
- Internal security measures – India might increase security in border areas and potential terrorist targets to prevent retaliatory attacks.
- Pakistan’s choices – Pakistan faces a difficult decision: escalate further, maintain the status quo, or reconsider its approach to terror groups.
The path forward depends on choices made by leaders on both sides. Will they choose the path of peace or conflict? Only time will tell.
I hope, like many Indians, that this operation serves its purpose of deterring terrorism without leading to a wider conflict. The people of both countries deserve peace and prosperity, not war and suffering.
Operation Sindoor has written a new chapter in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism. It shows that India has both the capability and the will to strike at terror camps, no matter where they are hidden. The message is clear: those who target innocent Indians will face consequences.
