What is operation sindoor

 Operation Sindoor: India's Strategic Counter-Terrorism Response

Overview

Operation Sindoor was a high-precision military operation launched by India on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians (25 Indian tourists and a Nepali national) in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), marking a significant escalation in India’s counter-terrorism strategyKey Details of the Operation

Objectives and Targets

Primary Goal: To dismantle terror infrastructure linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), which India accused of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack 114.

Targeted Sites: Nine terror camps across Pakistan’s Punjab province (e.g., Bahawalpur, Muridke) and PoJK (e.g., Muzaffarabad, Kotli). Notable locations included:

Markaz Taiba (LeT headquarters in Muridke, linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks) 414.

Markaz Subhan Allah (JeM’s operational HQ in Bahawalpur, associated with the 2019 Pulwama attack) 514.

Casualties: Over 100 terrorists reportedly killed, including JeM leader Abdul Rauf Azhar 5.

Military Execution

Tri-Service Coordination: Involved the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy using precision-guided munitions like SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER bombs to minimize collateral damage 514.

Intelligence-Driven Strikes: Leveraged satellite surveillance, drones, and human intelligence to identify terror hubs 5.

Non-Military Measures

Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: India halted water-sharing agreements, impacting Pakistan’s agriculture and economy 18.

Economic Sanctions: Closure of the Attari-Wagah border and suspension of bilateral trade 1.

Diplomatic Actions: Expulsion of Pakistani diplomats and revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals 18.

Symbolism of the Name

Sindoor refers to the vermilion powder worn by married Hindu women. The operation’s name symbolized the widows created by the Pahalgam attack, where attackers targeted Hindu men, leaving their wives to wipe off sindoor—a ritual signifying widowhoodAftermath and Escalation

Pakistan’s Retaliation: Islamabad denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and retaliated with drone strikes and shelling targeting religious sites (e.g., Shambhu Temple) and civilian areas. India countered using advanced air defense systems like the S-400 15.

Ceasefire Agreement: A temporary truce was brokered on May 10, though Pakistan later violated it with UAV intrusions 1.

Global Response: India briefed international allies (e.g., U.S., UAE) to garner support, framing the operation as a "non-escalatory" anti-terror measure Strategic Impact

Redefined Engagement: Operation Sindoor set a precedent for cross-border strikes deep into Pakistani territory, moving from deterrence to proactive retaliation 15.

Domestic Unity: The operation received bipartisan political support in India, with opposition leaders praising its precision 1.

Economic and Diplomatic Pressure: Pakistan faced severe economic strain due to water and trade restrictions, coupled with global isolationConclusion

Operation Sindoor exemplifies India’s evolving doctrine of "zero tolerance for terrorism", combining military precision with strategic non-kinetic measures. While it escalated tensions with Pakistan, it also underscored India’s resolve to defend sovereignty without triggering full-scale war. The operation’s legacy lies in its symbolic defiance of terror and its multi-dimensional approach to national security 1514.

For further details, refer to official briefings and analyses from sources like PIB and ORF.