In the dark silence of early Wednesday morning, India executed one of its most daring cross-border military operations in recent history. Codenamed Operation Sindoor, the armed forces launched 24 precision missile strikes targeting nine terror hubs deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The operation was in direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 innocent lives, including a Nepali citizen. The strikes, launched at 1:44am, reportedly eliminated over 70 terrorists and injured 60 more, crippling the core infrastructure of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The targets included their major strongholds—Bahawalpur and Muridke.

Calculated Response, Not Escalation

What sets Operation Sindoor apart is its strategic restraint. Despite the scale of the retaliation, the Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The intent was not to provoke an all-out war, but to send a clear message to terror groups and their backers. “Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature,” the official statement read. The strikes were aimed solely at terror infrastructure used to plan and launch attacks on Indian soil, underscoring India’s resolve without widening the conflict.

Aftermath: Terror Networks Crippled

Initial reports suggest that the missile strikes dealt a heavy blow to Pakistan-based terror outfits. The targeted facilities served as launchpads, training centers, and operational hubs for terror plots against India. With over 70 operatives killed, including senior commanders, and dozens wounded, the operational capacity of these networks has been significantly compromised. Security experts believe it may take months, if not years, for these groups to rebuild the scale of their pre-strike capabilities. The hits were not just physical; they sent shockwaves across Pakistan’s security and intelligence establishments.

India’s Larger Message to the World

Beyond the battlefield, Operation Sindoor was also a message to the global community. The Indian government briefed major powers like the US, UK, Russia, and Saudi Arabia immediately after the strikes, presenting them with credible intelligence on the Pahalgam attack’s perpetrators. The move signals India’s intent to isolate Pakistan diplomatically while maintaining military pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his commitment to bringing all those involved in the April 22 attack to justice, stating they would be pursued “to the ends of the earth” and punished “beyond their imagination.”

Prepared on All Fronts: Security Drill and Civil Readiness

Coinciding with the operation, India rolled out a massive nationwide security mock drill across 244 districts, showcasing the country’s readiness to defend against any potential retaliation or future threats. This unprecedented coordination between military precision and civil defence underscores a larger doctrine shift: India is no longer content with reactive measures. With Operation Sindoor, the nation has sent a strong message—not just to terror outfits but to the global order—that it will strike back decisively and hold perpetrators accountable, wherever they hide.

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Source – NDTV