Operation Sindoor Explained: India’s Precision Airstrikes on Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Operation Sindoor Explained: India’s Precision Airstrikes on Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a significant military operation named Operation Sindoor, India launched precision airstrikes on May 7, 2025, targeting alleged terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This action was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists lost their lives.Al Jazeera+4Reuters+4New York Post+4Al Jazeera+2New York Post+2The Guardian+2

🎯 Operation Overview

The operation, lasting approximately 23 minutes, involved the Indian Air Force deploying Rafale jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Targets included nine locations such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli, identified as hubs for militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India reported the elimination of over 100 militants, including key figures linked to previous attacks on Indian soil. The Sun+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5

🔥 Pakistan’s Response

Pakistan condemned the strikes, labeling them as acts of war. In retaliation, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks targeting Indian regions, including Jammu, Rajasthan, and Punjab. India’s defense systems, notably the S-400 missile defense system, successfully intercepted these threats, preventing significant damage. YouTube+6New York Post+6YouTube+6India Today+1Wikipedia+1

🌐 International Reactions

The escalation has drawn global concern, with leaders from the U.S., U.K., China, and Turkey urging both nations to exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic dialogue. The United Nations has called for immediate de-escalation to prevent further conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The GuardianThe Guardian+2New York Post+2The Sun+2

🎥 Media and Public Discourse

The operation’s codename, “Sindoor”—a term symbolizing marital commitment in Hindu culture—sparked controversy when Reliance’s Jio Studios attempted to trademark it for entertainment purposes. Facing public backlash, the company withdrew the application, citing an internal erro