In response to the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, India launched a significant military operation early Wednesday, striking nine locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian military has named the action Operation Sindoor, marking one of the most extensive cross-border strikes in recent years.
According to a report by NDTV, the Indian armed forces carried out the strikes with precision, focusing on what they described as infrastructure used by terrorist groups operating across the border. The targeted areas include Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad — regions previously flagged by Indian intelligence as hubs for militant activity.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed the attacks during a press briefing. He condemned the strikes, calling them “cowardly acts of aggression” and warned that Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately.
The Indian Ministry of Defence, in an official statement, emphasized that the operation was aimed solely at neutralizing terror infrastructure and that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. The statement read:
"These strikes were carefully planned and executed to avoid civilian casualties. The focus was to dismantle the logistics and planning centers used by terror outfits that have repeatedly targeted Indian interests."Initial reports from Pakistani media indicated that three people were killed and two fighter jets were downed during the strikes. However, these details remain unverified by independent sources.
The move comes just days after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, where multiple Indian security personnel lost their lives in an ambush believed to have been orchestrated from across the border. Indian authorities have since vowed a strong response, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval stating that “terrorism will be met with firm and immediate retaliation.”
International reactions have been mixed. The United Nations has called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate tensions. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels between the two nuclear-armed neighbors remain active, although relations are severely strained.
As of now, no further military engagement has been reported. Both nations remain on high alert amid fears of potential escalation.