What Led to India's Bold Military Strikes in Pakistan? Unpacking Operation Sindoor

Indian Armed Forces Execute Operation Sindoor

New Delhi: In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian military forces launched missile strikes early Wednesday targeting nine locations associated with terrorism in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Key targets included the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke.

This military operation, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor', was initiated two weeks following the tragic killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement from the defense ministry at 1:44 AM, the Indian armed forces executed 'Operation Sindoor' to strike at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which have been used to orchestrate attacks against India.

The ministry emphasized that the strikes were 'focused, measured, and non-escalatory', clarifying that no Pakistani military installations were targeted.

The statement further noted that India exercised significant restraint in choosing its targets and the execution method.

Sources indicated that all nine strikes, including those on Bahawalpur and Muridke, were successful, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely overseeing 'Operation Sindoor'.

Muridke, situated near Lahore, hosts a significant base for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), while Bahawalpur serves as a primary stronghold for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Other targeted areas, such as Kotli and Muzaffarabad, are known for housing camps and training facilities for both LeT and JeM, as per anonymous sources familiar with the situation.

The operation's name, 'Operation Sindoor', symbolizes the red vermillion worn by Hindu women to denote marital status. This reference is poignant, as the Pahalgam attack resulted in the deaths of several husbands in front of their wives, including an Indian Navy officer.

The attack incited widespread outrage across India and internationally, with Prime Minister Modi pledging to deliver a 'crushing blow to terrorism'.

The defense ministry's statement highlighted that these actions were a direct response to the heinous Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the attack.

Shortly after the strikes, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his sentiments on 'X', stating, 'Long live Mother India!' (Bharat Mata Ki Jai).

In response, Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that missile strikes were conducted by India in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur.

He described the attack as cowardly and shameful, asserting that Indian jets were not permitted to intrude into Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that the country has the right to respond decisively to what he termed an act of war by India.

He emphasized that the Pakistani nation and armed forces are well-equipped to handle such threats.

The Pakistani foreign ministry condemned India's actions, labeling them as an unprovoked act of war that violated Pakistan's sovereignty and targeted civilian populations.

They claimed that India's aggression resulted in civilian casualties and stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.

Indian military sources reported that all air defense units along the Pakistan frontier have been placed on high alert.

The top military leadership in India is closely monitoring the situation.

Following the operation, the Indian Army declared on 'X': 'Justice is Served.'

In the aftermath, India reached out to several key nations, including the US, Russia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia, to inform them about the military strikes on the nine terror targets.

Senior Indian officials have communicated with their counterparts in various countries to provide updates on the actions taken by India.

This operation followed Prime Minister Modi's directive granting the armed forces full operational freedom to respond to the Pahalgam attack.

During a high-level meeting with defense leaders on April 29, PM Modi authorized the military to determine the mode, targets, and timing of their response.