Introduction Of Operation Sindoor
In a dramatic overnight military operation, India launched targeted airstrikes on multiple sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early on May 7. The strikes—code-named Operation Sindoor—came in response to the April Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, were killed in Kashmir.
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Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been escalating sharply since the attack. In the days leading up to the strikes, Pakistani intelligence warned of a potential Indian retaliation. That warning became reality in the early hours of Wednesday.
What Was Operation Sindoor?
The operation’s name—Sindoor—is steeped in symbolism. The term refers to the red vermilion powder worn by married Hindu women on their foreheads. Traditionally, widows stop wearing it after losing their spouses. The name appears to be a tribute to the women widowed in the Pahalgam attack, which specifically targeted Hindu pilgrims.
Indian officials described the mission as a “precise and restrained response” to what they called a “brutal and unprovoked act of terror.” Operation Sindoor
Where Did India Strike?
According to sources cited by ANI, Indian forces targeted nine locations: four inside Pakistan proper—Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and another undisclosed site—and five across Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan’s military confirmed eight people were killed and 35 injured in the strikes. However, Islamabad claims all the targets were civilian facilities, not militant camps. India insists no military sites were hit.
Why These Sites?
Indian defense sources say the locations were chosen for their links to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba—two militant groups long accused of orchestrating cross-border attacks. Intelligence indicated that senior leadership from both groups were present at the targeted sites. Operation Sindoor
What Was the Aftermath?
Initial reports from Pakistan counted three civilian deaths, including a child. The toll was later revised to eight fatalities and 35 injured. India, meanwhile, reported that three of its civilians were killed when Pakistan responded with what it called “indiscriminate firing and shelling.”
How Did Pakistan React?
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as “cowardly” and “unprovoked,” promising it would not go unanswered. His government labeled the airstrikes an “act of war,” vowing to respond “at a time of its choosing.” Operation Sindoor
What This Means for India-Pakistan Relations
This is the most serious escalation between India and Pakistan in recent years. Both countries have a long and volatile history, having fought multiple wars since gaining independence in 1947.
Now, the threat of a broader conflict looms. Leaders across the globe are calling for calm, urging both sides to avoid further escalation.
Global Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he hoped the situation would “end very quickly.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized continued diplomatic engagement with both nations. The UN, through a spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, called for “maximum restraint.”
In the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged both nations to prioritize dialogue over escalation, warning that further conflict could jeopardize regional and international stability. Operation Sindoor
What’s Next?
As of now, the situation remains tense. Both India and Pakistan are on high alert, and the risk of miscalculation is high. For millions on both sides of the border—and in expat communities worldwide—this is a moment of deep anxiety and uncertainty.
The world will be watching what happens next.
