In a dramatic turn of events that has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces carried out a series of missile strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation is being viewed as one of the most significant military escalations in the India–Pakistan conflict since the Balakot strikes of 2019.
According to official statements from India’s Ministry of Defence, nine sites were hit early Wednesday morning, all of which were suspected hubs of planning and coordinating terror attacks on Indian soil. These strikes follow a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 civilians, including foreign tourists, and injured over a dozen.
Another video of Bahawalpur Strike. pic.twitter.com/8IHC0yv5WG
— Haseeb Chaudary (@haseebmahmood19) May 6, 2025
India’s Message: Retaliation, Not Escalation
The Indian government insists that the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” The statement clarified that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted and emphasised that Operation Sindoor was solely aimed at dismantling terror networks believed to be behind the recent Kashmir massacre.
“Justice is served. Jai Hind!” declared the Indian Army on its official social media handle following the announcement of the operation. India strikes Pakistan using a coordinated tri-service approach, deploying advanced loitering munitions and missile systems guided by intelligence inputs.
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Targets of Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and PoK
Sources within the defence establishment confirmed that four targets were in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Shakargarh) and five were in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (including Muzaffarabad and Kotli). Notably, Muridke is linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Bahawalpur is known to house Jaish-e-Mohammed leadership—two groups India has long blamed for attacks in Kashmir.
Indian Air Force veteran Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd) stated, “The cowardly attack in Pahalgam has been avenged. None of the targets were military—only terror infrastructure was neutralised.”
Satellite image (date unspecified) showing Masjdi-e-Subhanallah, identified as the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur. [Google Maps/The Wire]
Pakistan’s Response: Civilian Casualties and Condemnation
The Pakistani military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that eight civilians were killed, including a 16-year-old girl, and 35 others injured. It condemned the operation as an act of war, claiming the Indian missiles struck mosques and civilian homes in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed a strong response: “This aggression will not go unanswered. Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate at a time and place of its choosing.”
In a press conference, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed that Indian aircraft had been shot down near Bhatinda and Akhnoor, although no visual confirmation has emerged. India has not responded to these claims.
Global Reactions: Restraint Urged
World leaders have called for calm. U.S. President Donald Trump called the situation “a shame” and expressed hope for a swift de-escalation. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to show “maximum military restraint.”
US Secretary Marco Rubio posted on social media: “I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. We are engaging both sides toward a peaceful resolution.”
Strategic Messaging from India
The Indian defence ministry stressed that the operation was carried out entirely from Indian soil using precision standoff weapons. This detail appears carefully calculated to avoid direct airspace violations that could escalate into a broader India vs Pakistan war.
A tweet from the Indian Army confirmed that all nine objectives were met with “full operational success.” According to Indian news outlets like NDTV and Times of India, the Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was closely monitoring the operation throughout the night.
Pakistan’s Allegations and Warnings
In a strongly-worded statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry labelled the strikes a “blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.” It stated that India had crossed the line by targeting civilians and warned of consequences under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused India of deliberately attacking civilian areas and endangering commercial aviation routes.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kavinder Gupta in India made an inflammatory remark, saying, “Pakistan is not going to survive for long. It will be divided and erased from the map.” Such rhetoric has drawn criticism for its potential to inflame regional hostilities.
A Volatile Standoff
As tensions rise, the world watches with bated breath. The India–Pakistan conflict has long been a volatile flashpoint in South Asia. With both nations armed with nuclear weapons, any escalation beyond precision strikes raises the risk of a full-blown India and Pakistan war.
While Indian news agencies highlight the precision and restraint of the strikes, Pakistan news outlets focus on the human toll. The truth, as always, lies amid the narratives spun by both sides.
For now, Operation Sindoor India marks a significant military and political move by New Delhi, and the world hopes that diplomacy can de-escalate what could otherwise become a catastrophic confrontation.
