Operation Sindoor: India’s response to Pahalgam Terror Attack

India’s response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 2025 was ‘Operation Sindoor’, carried out on 07 May 2025, targeting 9 terrorist infrastructure facilities in Pakistan and PoJK. The attack led to the mass death of 26 people, and the military operations were directed at degrading the existing terror groups. The operation was clinical with the help of the latest technology arms, and the word ‘operative’, unlike other aggressive military operations, was coined to pay homage to the martyrs, especially the wives of the victims of the Pahalgam attack. Taking charge to brief the generals, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi described the mission objective and the method.

Summary:

• India undertook Operation Sindoor, a carefully targeted military operation against terrorist assets in the territories of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, to avenge the terror strike on Pahalgam.

• Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi addressed the Indian government and its people on the successful operation.

• Special weapons systems like SCALP Cruise Missiles, HAMMER Precision-Guided Bombs, and Loitering Munitions were used with less collateral cost in the operation.

What is Operation Sindoor?

About:

• Operation Sindoor was a surgical operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on 7 May 2025, to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. 

• The operation was a tri-service operation conducted by the Indian Army, Navy, and the Air Force from India. 

• It was named as ”Sindoor” in respect to the loss of numerous lives, especially the women of the Pahalgam tragedy.

Targets:

• Casting further scrutiny on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir, the Indian Armed Forces attacked the JeM, LeT, and HM. 

• These strikes were meant to neutralise structures that are used in the planning of attacks against India.

High-Precision Weapons Involved:

SCALP Cruise Missile:

• A highly accurate and long-distance missile that is launched from the air to hit strategic targets. 

• It was used in advanced fighter aircraft such as the Rafale. 

• These are some of the countries where its effectiveness in combat has been established, for instance, Iraq, Libya and Syria.

HAMMER Precision-Guided Bomb:

• Manufactured by Safran Electronics and Defense, the HAMMER bombs are precise for medium range on dynamic targets such as terrorist camps. 

• These aspects can, in turn, be navigated by a GPS, infrared imaging, or laser targeting system.

Loitering Munitions (Kamikaze Drones):

• These are armed UAVs that hover over enemy territory until such a time as it must launch pinpoint attacks. 

• They operate in real-time and can make decisions as to when to act, which allows more freedom and minimizes the danger to the operators.

Military Operations by India on Pakistan to date

• Operation Riddle (1965 Indo-Pak War):

  • India has had its share as well when it cross LoC in response to Operation Gibraltar. It contributed to initiation of the 1965 war and Tashkent Agreement.

• Operation Ablaze (1965 Indo-Pak War):

  • It was a pre-emptive strategy by India after there were tensions along the Line of Control in the region especially in the Rann of Kutch.

• Operation Cactus Lily (1971 Indo-Pak War):

  • An airborne operation during the Bangladesh Liberation War to capture the provincial capital and the effective headquarters of the Pakistan army.

• Operations Trident and Python (1971):

  • The operation of Indian navy upon the Pakistani territory, and more precisely upon Karachi port that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

• Operation Meghdoot (1984):

  • India claimed the Saltoro Ridge and Siachen Glacier under the government of Indira Gandhi.

• Operation Vijay (1999):

  • Military related and recapturing the Kargil ridge from Pakistani forces during the Kargil War, which led to the Pakistani forces’ retreat.

• Operation Safed Sagar (1999 Kargil conflict):

  • The Indian Air Force targeted the Pakistani positions in Indian territory and raided Pakistani military installations to silence their fire along the LoC.

• 2016 Surgical Strikes:

  • India’s action in striking terror camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to the Uri attack.

• Operation Bandar (2019 Balakot air strikes):

  • India’s counteraction for the Pulwama attack was the airstrikes against the JeM training camp in Balakot, Pakistan.

Conclusion:

Operation Sindoor is one of the major military operations planned and implemented by the Indian government in the fight against terrorism from Pakistan and its proxies. Delhi showcases its ability to eliminate terrorist threats utilizing state-of-the-art high precision equipment, leaving little or no trace on innocent lives. Even though it targets specific terrorist organizations such as JeM and LeT, this attack also strengthens India’s place in the global fight against terrorism by using both kinetic and diplomatic means. In the Pakistani context successful drill of Operation Sindoor highlights that India is determined towards national security and would not tolerate cross-border terrorism at any cost.