What is Operation Sindoor?

 Why is it in the news?

1. India targeted nine locations in Pakistan and POK. The locations included Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh, Bhimber, Gulpur and Chak Amru. India claimed that strikes targeted the infrastructure of terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), killing more than 100 terrorists. 10-12 members of the family of dreaded terrorist Azhar Masud  were killed in the operation at Bahawalpur. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The operation was described as focused, measured and non-escalatory. 

2. Pakistan retaliated by firing 8 missiles targeting Jammu including the airport, Gurudwara and Jammu University. It resorted to heavy shelling in areas like Poonch and Kupwara. Hence, India expanded operation Sindoor on May 8-9 targeting military installations of Pakistan. India intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles targeting Jammu, Pathankot, Uddhampur and border security force camp in Ramgarh, Jaisalmer.

What is Operation Sindoor?

1. Operation Sindoor was a series of precision military strikes launched by the Indian armed forces on May 7, 2025, targeting 9 terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The operation involved the use of advanced weaponry such as Brahmos cruise missiles, SCALP missiles and Indo Israeli sky striker loitering munitions. The strike aimed at destroying the infrastructure of terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. India tried to avoid attacking Pakistani military bases to minimise conflict. In the operation more than 100 terrorists were killed, including those terrorists who were involved in hijacking of IC-814 and Pulwama terrorist attack. 

Why did India launch Operation Sindoor against Pakistan?

1. India launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pak occupied Kashmir in retaliation for terrorist attack on 22nd April 2025 in Pahalgam, killing 26 tourists and injuring a large number of people. The operation demonstrated India’s military prowess and zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. The operation also sent a clear message to Pakistan and the World community that India can act decisively to protect its sovereignty and national integrity. 

Implications of operation Sindoor

1. Escalation of tensions - Border areas on either side of India and Pakistan suffered a lot of casualties. At least 15 civilians were killed in Poonch district of Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan used 400 drones of Turkish made to intrude 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek. In response Indian armed forces launched strikes on four air defence sites in India. Meanwhile BSF killed 7 terrorists who were trying to infiltrate into India. 

To retaliate Pakistani attack on military installations and civilians in India, India launched a series of air strikes using Brahmos missiles destroying a number of military installations inside Pakistan. It destroyed the air defence system of Lahore. 

2. India declared that any act of terrorism on the soil of India would amount to an act of war and so India would do everything to dismantle the terrorist networks within Pakistan and PoK.

3. Solidarity of opposition parties with ruling party - All opposition parties extended support to the Government to fight against terrorism in Pakistan. However, they accused the Government of India of violating Shimla Agreement concluded in 1972, which rules out third party involvement in matters relating to India-Pakistan. The attacks on terrorist camps in Pakistan fueled anti-Indian sentiments. The attack was labelled as heinous aggression by India. 

4. International reactions - The United States, China, EU, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other countries urged restraint. The US played a key role in brokering the ceasefire. 

Why did both countries agree to a ceasefire?

The ceasefire became effective on 10th May 2025 from 5 PM onwards after four days of intense military exchanges. Several factors contributed to this decision.

• Military reverses of Pakistan - India inflicted serious damages on Pakistani air bases like Skardu, Sargodha, Jaicobabad and Bholari and terror infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The loss of air defence systems and radars made Pakistan’s air space defence untenable, prompting its military to seek de-escalation. Moreover, many Pakistani missiles were intercepted by India’s -400 system. This asymmetry prompted and pressured Pakistan to negotiate with India. The DGMO of Pakistan talked to Indian counterpart and requested the immediate halting of military escalation. 

• US mediation - The US played a pivotal role to broker ceasefire. Both security of state Marco Rubio and Vice President J D Vance engaged with Indian and Pakistani leaders. The US President said that after a long night of talks mediated by the US, India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. 

• The US reportedly tied a 1.3 billion dollar IMF loan to Pakistan’s compliance with the ceasefire exerting economic pressure. Pakistan appreciated the US for facilitating the ceasefire. The Prime Minister of Pakistan said that Pakistan accepted the ceasefire in the interest of regional peace. 

• Nuclear bluff - The heightened escalation of tension on account of military reverses of Pakistan pushed it for nuclear commands alerts, thereby, raising global fears of nuclear confrontation between India and Pakistan. Since, both India and Pakistan are nuclear countries, prudence prevailed upon them to de-escalate the tension. Moreover, the heavy civilian casualties and economic strain upon Pakistan further pushed it for de-escalation. 

Conclusion 

1. Operation Sindoor marked a significant departure of India from its earlier stand with regard to Pakistan supported terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir. 

2. India declared that henceforth any terrorist activities supported by Pakistan into the soils of India would amount to an act of war. The operation showcased India’s military and strategic capabilities. The precision of Brahmos cruise missiles attack and dismantling of infrastructures of terrorist groups within Pakistan was noteworthy. The operation further showed that India has better and favourable air strike facilities vis-à-vis Pakistan. India has demonstrated to the international community that it is capable of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is hoped that several measures like keeping Indus water treaty in abeyance, ban on SAARC Visa, sealing of Indian Pakistan border at Atari-Bagha, downgrading of diplomatic missions and finally Sindoor operation would help in controlling Pakistan supported terrorist activities within India. 

3. India further clarified that the ceasefire will have no effect upon the previous measures that the Government of India had taken against Pakistan. It also refuted the mediation of the US for the ceasefire. Instead, it held that both the DGMO of Pakistan and India talked directly to bring a ceasefire without the involvement of a third party. In spite of the ceasefire, the Government directed the security forces to remain in ready position and to retaliate any misadventure by Pakistan.