After cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists on April 22 that killed innocent Hindu tourists, on May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) from where terror strategies against Bharat have been planned and directed for many decades. A total of nine sites were targeted, confirmed the Ministry of Defence. This must have undoubtedly come as a shock for the coward state as it did not expect this level of retaliation from Bharat. Thanks to the Modi Government, which has shown zero tolerance against terrorism.
The world has already witnessed surgical strike in POJK by Indian Army after Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists attacked an Army camp in September 2016 in Uri, J&K; and later in February 2019 after Pulwama attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, Indian Air Force carried out aerial strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed launch pads in Balakot.
The most important outcome of ‘Operation Sindoor’ is Hafiz Abdul Rauf Azhar, younger brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, getting killed. Azhar was one of the masterminds behind the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999. The flight, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan, by Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorists. Here, it is worth mentioning that noted American journalist Daniel Pearl was barbarically beaheaded by Abdul Rauf in 2002.
Notably, ‘Operation Sindoor’ has once again exposed Pakistan’s connection with terror, when on May 7, a photo emerged from Muridke—headquarters of LeT—showing serving members of the Pakistan Army attending the funeral of killed terrorists with Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist and member of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) of Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attack. Also, a confession came from Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on May 9. He said, “madrassas are our second line of defence.” Isn’t this enough to demonstrate the fact that terrorists operating from Pakistan’s Madrassas decide the policy of the country? The fact is that the picture of Pakistan Army giving state funeral to Abdul Rauf was enough to point out that ‘Operation Sindoor’ has hit the heart (terrorism) of Pakistan Army led by ‘Jihadi’ General Asim Munir, whose family is locally known as ‘Hafiz’. Pakistan would, most definitely, attempt to escalate the situation.
Pakistan targets Civilians
It was known that Pakistan would attempt to escalate the situation as Bharat had targeted its nerve-centre. On the night of May 07-08, 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage several military targets in Northern and Western Bharat, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.
According to MEA press briefing, Pakistan increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) using mortars and heavy calibre artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajauri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. Also, Pakistan launched a targeted attack on the Sikh community of J&K, hitting a Gurudwara in Poonch. In this firing, sixteen innocent Bharatiyas lost their lives, including women and children.
Retaliation comes to naught
According to the MEA press briefing on the morning of May 8, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and Systems at several locations in Pakistan. Indian response was in the same domain and intensity as Pakistan’s. In this response, the Indian Armed Forces successfully neutralised Lahore’s HQ-9 surface-to-air missile and radar system of Chinese origin.
Islamabad Re-Escalated the Situation
On the evening of May 8, Pakistan sent loitering munitions targeting multiple civilian locations in Jammu. As per reports, Pakistan launched eight missiles at various locations in the region, including Satwari (Jammu Airport), Samba, RS Pura and Arnia. All these missiles were successfully intercepted and destroyed by the Indian air defence system’s S-400. Other attacks on Jammu, Udhampur and Pathankot military stations were also thwarted. Pakistan increased unprovoked firing along the LoC in Kupwara, Baramula, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajauri, which Bharat retaliated with force.
In Punjab, Indian Armed Forces thwarted multiple attempts by Pakistan to target some locations, including Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda on the night of May 8. Our armed forces neutralised drones using various air defence systems like S-400 and Bharat’s indigenous Akash, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM).
While briefing media on May 9, MEA confirmed that Pakistan used Turkey-made drones to target Bharat’s military stations. Pakistan used more than 300-400 drones to attack Bharat. Also, he confirmed that Pakistan used commercial airlines as a shield to attack Bharat using drones.
Paki Jets Downed, One Pilot Captured
On May 8 evening, a Pakistani pilot was captured by Indian security forces while ejecting from his fighter jet over Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The pilot was captured from Lathi area of Rajasthan after Bharat’s air defence system shot down his JF-17 fighter jet. They also successfully shot down the other two Pakistani fighter jets, JF-17 and F-16, along with several drones.
Bharat’s Befitting Response
If Pakistan escalated the situation and decided to attack Bharat’s military installation, it was Bharat’s duty to give Pakistan the toughest response to protect its sovereignty. As a result, Bharat targeted Gujranwala, Khenju, Attock, Bahawalpur, Miano, and an area near Karachi from where these attacks were carried out. Also, to break Pakistan’s air defence system, Bharat used Harpy and Harop drones that can autonomously detect and engage radar and other targets.
The World in Support of Bharat
Soon after “Operation Sindoor” was launched, Bharat briefed major countries like the US, the UK, France and Russia. The world leader also backed Bharat on its decision to target terror hubs. US Congressman Shri Thanedar said that terrorism cannot be tolerated and it cannot go unpunished. Bharat has the right to defend its people and expressed firm solidarity with Bharat’s efforts to dismantle the extremist network. The UK Foreign Minister said Bharat is right to feel outraged at the terrible attack on April 22. He called upon Pakistan to do more to tackle the terror threat within its borders. Former UK Prime Minister and MP Rishi Sunak, while supporting Bharat, said that no nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from another country. The French Foreign Minister understood Bharat’s commitment to protect itself from terrorism. In an official statement, the French Foreign Office condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed full solidarity with Bharat stating France supports Bharat in its fight against terrorist groups.
‘Entire country stands with Govt and armed forces’
“We congratulate the Central Government leadership and our armed forces for decisive action “Operation Sindoor” taken against Pak-sponsored terrorists and their supporting ecosystem following the cowardly attack on unarmed tourists at Pahalgam. This action to serve justice to aggrieved families and entire country in the brutal massacre of Hindu tourists has enhanced self-respect and morale the whole country. We totally agree that military action being taken against terrorists, their infrastructure and support systems in Pakistan is necessary and inevitable for security of the country. In this hour of national crisis, the entire country stands with Government and Armed Forces in spirit and action. We condemn the attacks being carried out by Pakistani Army on religious places and civilian settlement areas on the border of Bharat and express heartfelt condolences to families of victims in these savage, inhuman attacks. In this challenging time, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh appeals to all citizens to ensure full compliance of instructions being given by the Government and administration. Along with this, while discharging our sacred civic duty, we all have to be cautious and do not let any conspiracy of anti-national forces to succeed in disrupting social unity and harmony. All citizens are requested to display their patriotism and be ready to cooperate with the army and civic administration wherever and however required and strengthen all efforts to maintain national unity and security.”
— Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak
— Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Israel’s Ambassador to Bharat said that Israel supported Bharat’s right of self-defence and that terrorists should know there is no place to hide from their heinous crime against the innocent. Another key statement came from Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, who said, “In the course of its current military operation against Pakistan, India has killed the brutal terrorist assassin Abdul Rauf Azhar, whose psychopathic beheading of WSJ journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 we all remember. Justice has been served. Thank you, India.” world must speak in one voice
Having said that, the statements from world leaders are pointing out one common fact that Bharat has shown the world that all the responsible countries must come out of the illusion of fear that Pakistan would use nuclear weapons if action against it is taken in dealing with terrorism. If the world is interested in finishing global terrorism as Pakistan is its epicentre, the world must speak in one voice. This is how terrorism can be eliminated from the world. ‘The Pakistan mindset’ has become a cancer, which must be cured.
