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India Launches Operation Sindoor: Airstrikes in Pakistan Following Pahalgam Attack
On May 7, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision airstrikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed. The Indian government attributed the attack to the Resistance Front, a group allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The strikes have significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam attack marked one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in recent years. India accused Pakistan of supporting the perpetrators, leading to a series of diplomatic and military responses.
These included the expulsion of diplomats and threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, in turn, conducted ballistic missile tests on May 3, 2025, further heightening tensions.
Details of Operation Sindoor
In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Air Force executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine sites believed to be terrorist infrastructures. The operation lasted approximately 23 minutes and involved Rafale jets deploying SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Targets included areas in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber. India emphasized that the strikes were “focused, moderate, and non-escalatory,” aiming solely at terrorist infrastructures without targeting Pakistani military installations.
Domestic Measures in India
In anticipation of potential retaliatory actions, India conducted a nationwide civil defense drill named “Operation Abhyaas,” involving air raid sirens, blackout simulations, and evacuation exercises across 244 districts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held meetings with chief ministers and governors of border states to ensure preparedness.
Economic Impact
The Indian rupee experienced downward pressure following the strikes, with the 1-month non-deliverable forward rate suggesting a drop to 84.64–84.68 per U.S. dollar. The Reserve Bank of India is closely monitoring the situation and may intervene to prevent excessive volatility.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor represents a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan. While India frames the operation as a necessary counterterrorism measure, Pakistan views it as a violation of its sovereignty. The international community continues to call for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation. As both nations navigate this crisis, the importance of diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution cannot be overstated.
Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in the enduring conflict between India and Pakistan, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir. India’s airstrikes, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Hindu tourists, targeted what it identified as terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India asserts that the operation was precise and aimed solely at militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, avoiding civilian casualties.
Domestically, India has conducted nationwide civil defense drills to prepare for potential escalations. Internationally, there is growing concern over the potential for further escalation between these two nuclear-armed nations. Global leaders, including those from the United Nations, the United States, China, and Russia, have called for restraint and dialogue to prevent a broader conflict.
As the situation remains volatile, the need for diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution is paramount to ensure regional stability and prevent further loss of life.
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