Overview
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces on 7 May 2025 as a swift, precision response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April 2025. Over 23 minutes, Rafale jets equipped with SCALP and Hammer missiles struck nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes, described by India as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeted camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, without entering Pakistani airspace.
Background
Tensions peaked after militants ambushed tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, prompting New Delhi to plan a calibrated strike against groups it holds responsible. Al Jazeera Intelligence pinpointed Muridke, Bahawalpur, and other locations as training and recruitment hubs for Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives.
Operation Details
- Date & Duration: 7 May 2025; approximately 23 minutes of airstrikes.
- Aircraft & Munitions: IAF Rafale jets fired SCALP and AASM Hammer missiles from standoff ranges.
- Targets: Nine sites including terror camps and training facilities in Pakistan Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. No Pakistani military bases were hit, per Indian statements.
- Objective: Degrade militant infrastructure and deter future attacks while minimizing collateral damage.
Weaponry and Tactics
Utilizing standoff precision weapons allowed the IAF to engage targets from beyond the reach of ground-based air defenses. The SCALP missile’s low-observable profile and the Hammer’s dual-mode guidance ensured high accuracy against hardened structures.
Pakistan’s Response
- Retaliation Claims: Pakistan reported shooting down three Indian jets and claimed civilian casualties, including damage to mosques in Muzaffarabad.
- Military Orders: Islamabad authorized “corresponding action,” leading to cross-border shelling along the LoC.
- Diplomatic Fallout: Pakistan summoned India’s envoy, suspended trade, and closed border crossings in protest.
International Reaction
Global powers and the UN urged both sides to exercise restraint and revive dialogue. China, the US, and the EU called for de-escalation to prevent a broader conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Implications
- Strategic Significance: Demonstrated India’s ability to conduct non-escalatory precision strikes without violating airspace sovereignty.
- Deterrence: Aimed to deter future cross-border terror attacks by signaling credible punitive capability.
- Risk of Escalation: Heightened risk of tit-for-tat exchanges, demanding urgent diplomatic engagement to restore stability.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor stands as a landmark in India’s counter-terror doctrine, blending surgical air power with strategic restraint. While it achieved its immediate objective of degrading militant infrastructure, the operation underscores the urgent need for renewed diplomatic dialogue to avert a cycle of retaliation that could imperil regional security.