On 7 May 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched a precision missile strike operation called Operation Sindoor, targeting nine locations in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and Punjab. The strikes lasted about 23 minutes and were conducted primarily by the Indian Air Force's Rafale jets using SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer glide bombs. Additionally, BrahMos cruise missiles and Indo-Israeli SkyStriker loitering munitions were reportedly deployed.
The targeted sites included terrorist training camps allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, such as Bahawalpur and Muridke in Punjab. The Indian government described the strikes as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were hit.
Pakistan's response was immediate and stern. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Council, granting the military full authority to retaliate at their discretion. Reports indicated increased cross-border firing from Pakistan into Indian-administered Kashmir after the strikes.
Pakistan claimed to have shot down multiple Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, MiG-29s, and Su-30MKIs. Independent sources and media reports confirmed the crash of at least three Indian jets, with several pilots hospitalized. India acknowledged the risks inherent in combat but did not confirm specific losses.
This event marks one of the most significant cross-border military actions between India and Pakistan in recent years, with heightened tensions and potential for further escalation.
While Operation Sindoor was a decisive strike against terrorist camps, it also brings into sharp focus Pakistan’s long-standing and troubling role in harboring and supporting terrorist organizations. Groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India targeted during the strikes, have repeatedly been linked to cross-border attacks that have destabilized the entire region.
Pakistan’s policy of providing safe havens, training, and logistical support to these militant outfits not only threatens Indian security but also undermines peace efforts in South Asia. Instead of taking genuine steps to curb terrorism emanating from its soil, Pakistan has often used these groups as strategic assets to exert influence over Kashmir and exert pressure on India.
This state-sponsored terrorism perpetuates violence, claims innocent lives, and fuels an endless cycle of retaliation and conflict. The international community has repeatedly condemned such support, yet meaningful action against Pakistan’s complicity remains limited.
India’s Operation Sindoor sends a clear message that tolerance for terrorism will not be accepted and that Pakistan must take responsibility for dismantling terror infrastructure within its borders. True peace can only be achieved when Pakistan ends its support for terrorism and works constructively towards dialogue rather than proxy wars.
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