Revision as of 19:06, 14 May 2025

Targets in Pakistan by Damien Symon on X
Two days after the ceasefire, Damien Symon captioned this map, “From India's latest briefing on Operation Sindoor, here is an updated list of military/terror-affiliated sites targeted by New Delhi in Pakistan, some over 165-km inside”

[File: Pakistan has faced huge losses.jpg| “Pakistan has faced huge losses,” wrote Global UPDATES, also two days after the ceasefire |frame|500px]] Two maps from international sources

Briefly

Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, and paused on May 10, 2025, was a military offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It was a direct response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 25 Indians and 1 Nepali citizen. The attack was attributed to Pakistan-based terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, prompting India to act decisively to neutralize the threat.

The operation involved high-precision, multi-domain strikes, as described by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), marking a strategic evolution in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine. The Indian Armed Forces, including the Air Force, executed the operation, targeting nine terrorist camps in locations like Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad, according to a statement from Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army reported on May 7, 2025.

The Indian Air Force confirmed on May 11, 2025, via NDTV, that it had “successfully executed its assigned tasks.” Intelligence revealed 21 terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK, with Operation Sindoor neutralizing 100 terrorists, per a YouTube video detailing five key facts about the operation. However, the government noted on May 8, 2025, via ANI on X, that the operation was ongoing, making exact casualty figures hard to confirm, with over 100 terrorists killed at that point.

India employed advanced weaponry, including BrahMos missiles, as highlighted in a YouTube live report by Palki Sharma and a May 11, 2025, statement from Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on X, where he emphasized the missile’s impact, suggesting Pakistan could attest to its power. At least eight key facilities were hit using precision weapons.

The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” carries symbolic weight. A New York Times article from May 7, 2025, notes that it evokes the memory of women who became symbols of grief following a terrorist attack, referencing the Pahalgam incident’s emotional toll. Sindoor, a vermilion powder used in Hindu tradition to signify marriage and protection.

Politically, Operation Sindoor achieved multiple objectives, as outlined in a May 11, 2025, ANI post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the operation met its military goal by destroying key terror camps. It also pursued a political objective by linking the Indus Water Treaty to cross-border terrorism, signalling potential economic repercussions for Pakistan.

Modi’s address emphasized that the operation was halted but not concluded, with a clear message of zero tolerance for terrorism. Modi’s speech on May 12, 2025, reported by The Economic Times, framed the operation as India’s new policy against terror, reinforcing a hardline stance.

The operation garnered mixed international reactions. A May 9, 2025, article in The Hindu noted that most world capitals saw India’s actions as expected, given the Pahalgam attack’s severity, though specific responses weren’t detailed. A ceasefire between India and Pakistan was declared on May 10, 2025. The Times of India reported on May 11, 2025, that Operation Sindoor continued in a “new normal,” suggesting ongoing low-level operations despite the truce.

Domestically, the operation stirred national pride and reflection. A May 13, 2025, post by @ARanganathan72 on X mourned five Indian soldiers who died during the operation, underscoring the human cost.

The operation also sparked an information war, with Pakistani citizens sharing videos of missile strikes, as noted in an Instagram post by India Today on May 6, 2025.

Operation Sindoor highlights India’s shift toward proactive, intelligence-driven counter-terrorism, leveraging advanced technology and symbolic messaging.