On May 7, 2025, within the early hours of daybreak, India released Operation Sindoor—a unprecedented and ambitious tri-services army strike deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was once India’s company reaction to the Pahalgam terror assault that passed off on April 22, claiming 26 blameless lives, most commonly vacationers, in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a in moderation coordinated transfer, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force labored in combination on this high-precision retaliation. It was once the primary such tri-services operation because the 1971 Indo-Pak warfare, signaling India’s unravel to pre-emptively neutralize cross-border terrorism.
The Role of India’s Armed Forces
Indian Air Force (IAF)
* Led the operation with Rafale fighter jets, launching SCALP long-range cruise missiles and HAMMER precision bombs from Indian airspace.
* Supported via Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30MKIs, the Air Force performed standoff moves that have shyed away from Pakistani airspace.
* Maintained fight air patrols and initiated large-scale air workout routines to discourage retaliation.
Indian Army
* Coordinated intelligence accumulating alongside the Line of Control (LoC).
* Launched loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) and precision artillery moves close to ahead launchpads.
* Responded to Pakistan’s post-strike shelling in Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, and Baramulla with proportionate pressure.
Indian Navy
* Provided logistical and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) strengthen.
* Was most probably occupied with launching precision loitering drones from Indian territory.
* Remained on excessive alert within the Arabian Sea to watch and counter any maritime risk from Pakistan.
Advanced Weaponry: SCALP and HAMMER Missiles
SCALP (Storm Shadow)
* A French-origin air-launched cruise missile with a spread of over 500 km.
* Ideal for deep-penetration moves on enemy bunkers, command posts, and guns depots.
* Used via Rafale jets on this operation for objectives like Bahawalpur and Muridke.
HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range)
* A precision-guided bomb with a spread of as much as 70 km.
* Designed to strike fortified objectives like bunkers, launchpads, and radar posts with accuracy.
* Used successfully for moves nearer to the LoC in PoK.
9 Strategic Terror Targets
India hit 9 key terror hubs, decided on for his or her direct involvement in previous or deliberate assaults on Indian soil. The places have been throughout Punjab province in Pakistan and PoK, with reference to Jammu and Kashmir:
Bahawalpur (Punjab Province, Pakistan)
* Approx. 180–200 km from Fazilka, Punjab (India)
* Headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Central command for terror making plans, together with Pulwama and Parliament assaults.
Muridke (Punjab Province, Pakistan)
* Approx. 140 km from Gurdaspur, Punjab (India)
* Base of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Linked to the 2008 Mumbai and 2025 Pahalgam assaults.
Kotli (PoK)
* Approx. 35–40 km from Poonch, J&Okay (India)
* Terror coaching base for suicide bombers. Frequently used to release infiltrators into Kashmir.
Gulpur (PoK)
* Approx. 6–7 km from Poonch, J&Okay (India)
* Key launchpad for assaults in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Closest strike to the LoC.
Sawai (Kotli District, PoK)
* Approx. 15 km from Jammu sector, J&Okay (India)
* Camp for making plans assaults throughout Sonmarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam within the Kashmir Valley.
Sarjal (Kotli District, PoK)
* Approx. 12 km from Poonch, J&Okay (India)
* Known infiltration hall thru rugged terrain. Often utilized by small terror squads.
Barnala (Kotli District, PoK)
* Approx. 10 km from Mendhar, J&Okay (India)
* Staging space for ceasefire violations and militant crossings into Indian territory.
Mehmoona (close to Sialkot, PoK)
* Approx. 30 km from Samba district, J&Okay (India)
* Safehouse of Hizbul Mujahideen. Used for launching minor however common raids around the border.
Tattapani (Poonch District, PoK)
* Approx. 5 km from Krishna Ghati sector, Poonch, J&Okay (India)
* Contained guns depots and coaching websites for brand new recruits. Hit to dam additional infiltration.
Aftermath and Global Reactions
Pakistan’s Claim: Six spaces struck, 8 civilians killed, 22 injured. Claimed 5 Indian jets downed (India has denied those false allegations ).
India’s Stand: Confirmed 9 terror hubs hit. Emphasized no civilian or army websites have been centered.
Indian Civilian Casualties: Three killed because of Pakistani shelling in J&Okay.
Diplomacy: NSA Ajit Doval briefed the United States, and India additionally reached out to the United Kingdom, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, clarifying the moves have been restricted to terror infrastructure.
What Operation Sindoor Signifies
* First joint Army-Navy-Air Force operation since 1971.
* Strongest-ever Indian army message to terror sponsors around the border.
* Demonstrates a shift from reactive to proactive counter-terrorism.
* Conducted with restraint—keeping off escalation whilst making sure responsibility.
* Marks a brand new technology in India’s safety doctrine: swift, strategic, and united.
Final Thoughts
Operation Sindoor isn’t just a retaliation—this is a reminder that India will act decisively when provoked. With minimum collateral injury and most strategic impact, India has proven the arena that it may possibly give protection to its sovereignty with out triggering all-out warfare. The strike serves each as deterrence and a warning call—that those that harbor terror should undergo the effects.
But the location stays delicate. India should now mix its army power with diplomatic outreach to keep away from escalation and inspire Pakistan to behave towards terror outfits running on its soil.
(Girish Linganna is a Defence and Geopolitical Analyst based totally out of Bengaluru. He may be the Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The perspectives expressed on this article are of the creator best.)
This article is in response to data to be had on the time of writing. Details will likely be up to date as and when extra verified data is gained.