Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strikes on Terror Camps in Pakistan & PoK

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This attack was non-escalatory, focused, and measured in nature, which was conducted in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 people (including one Nepali citizen) were killed.

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Why Was Operation Sindoor Launched?

Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The attack killed 26 civilians and shocked the nation. The reasons for the operation include:

• Retaliation: A direct response to the killing of innocent tourists and holding Pakistan responsible for supporting cross-border terrorism.

• Targeting Terror Camps: Targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen, believed to be key launchpads for attacks against India.

• Fulfilling a Promise: The government had vowed to punish the attackers.

• Non-Escalatory Response: The strikes avoided civilians and military bases and were conducted with precision to attack terror camps.

• Symbolic Purpose: Named to honor the widows of the victims and show national resolve.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly chose the name "Sindoor", a symbol of marital devotion in Hindu tradition, as a tribute to the women widowed in the attack, reflecting both national grief and a message of firm retaliation.

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Key Locations Targeted in Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor involved coordinated, precision strikes by the Indian armed forces on nine major terror-linked sites. These sites were:

Major Terror Outfits Targeted

Operation Sindoor specifically targeted the infrastructure and camps of three major terror outfits named:

1. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)

2. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

3. Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)

These groups have a long history of planning and executing attacks against India, including the recent Pahalgam massacre and previous high-profile incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Pathankot Airbase attack.

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Weapons and Tactics Used by Indian Forces

Operation Sindoor used a highly coordinated approach by the Ministry of Defence involving all three branches of India’s military (Army, Air Force, and Navy), with precise strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK using advanced weaponry. 

Each force played a specialized role in target selection, strike execution, and battle damage assessment. Here are some of the key weapons used in this operation:

• SCALP (Storm Shadow) Cruise Missile: A long-range missile with a range of over 250 km, launched from Rafale fighter jets to destroy fortified terror sites and command centers.

• HAMMER Bomb: A precision-guided bomb capable of striking targets up to 70 km away, used to take out bunkers and buildings housing terror training camps.

• Kamikaze Drones: These loitering munitions were used for surveillance and targeting moving or hidden threats, allowing for real-time strikes.

• Rafale Fighter Jets: Equipped with advanced technology like the Meteor missile, Rafale jets delivered SCALP and HAMMER bombs with high precision.

What’s Next After Operation Sindoor?

In the latest press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, along with Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, clarified that Operation Sindoor was a non-escalatory response aimed solely at targeting terror infrastructure, emphasizing that no military action was taken against civilian or military targets in Pakistan.

While Pakistan claims to have retaliated against Indian military positions, India has denied these assertions. However, reports of firing along the border have emerged. As of now, both armies remain on high alert, raising concerns about potential cross-border clashes or further escalation in the coming days.

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