Pahalgam avenged: India shares Operation Sindoor details

Conducted in the early hours of May 7, between 01:05 AM and 01:30 AM, Operation Sindoor involved precision missile strikes targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites. The targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were strategically selected based on credible intelligence, focusing on camps linked to banned outfits such as Jaish e Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) and Hizb ul Mujahideen.

Operation Sindoor was launched by India following a deadly act of terrorism in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali citizen. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure linked t,o groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

On May 8, from 8 PM to 11:30 PM, Pakistan executed synchronised drone attacks employing 500 small drones across 24 cities in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, as reported by Army sources. The Indian Army and Air Force effectively countered these attempted strikes, using their anti-aircraft systems, which include the L70, ZU-23, Schilka and Akash.

The operation lasted approximately 25 minutes, utilising air, naval and ground-based assets. It was described as focused, measured and non-escalatory, with official statements emphasising that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. India reported no civilian casualties from the strikes, though Pakistan contested this, claiming 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries, highlighting a point of contention.

Casualty figures from the operation suggest over 80-90 terrorists were killed, including significant figures such as family members and aides of JeM chief Masood Azhar, with claims of 14 deaths within his network alone. Sources corroborated these details, though exact numbers remain subject to verification.

Official Statements and Briefings

The Indian government, through the Ministry of Defence and Press Information Bureau (PIB), outlined the operation's objectives and execution. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, "India has exercised its ‘right to respond’ to the attack on its soil. Our action has been taken very thoughtfully and in a measured manner. We only killed those who killed our innocents." This reflects the government's stance on proportionality and restraint.

Diplomatic efforts post-operation included briefings to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members, excluding Pakistan and engagements with 13 foreign envoys. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed counterparts from major powers, including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, Russia, China and France. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held discussions with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Spain, Japan and Qatar, ensuring international awareness and dialogue.