Summary: Operation Sindoor was a coordinated series of precision strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on 7 May 2025, targeting nine militant camps across Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. The operation—conducted primarily by Indian Air Force Rafale jets armed with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, alongside Army loitering munitions—lasted approximately 23 minutes and successfully neutralized high-value Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba infrastructure, reportedly killing over 100 terrorists with minimal collateral damage to military facilities WikipediaNews on Air. Pakistan responded with drone and missile strikes on Indian border areas, prompting intense exchanges before a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect on 10 May 2025 The GuardianAP News.
Background
Tensions escalated after a gun attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups AP News. In response, the Indian government prepared a calibrated military operation aimed strictly at terrorist strongholds, emphasizing a “non-escalatory” posture to avoid a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed neighbors Wikipedia.
Launch of the Operation
On the night of 7 May 2025, at approximately 0200 hours local time, Indian Rafale aircraft crossed the Line of Control (LoC) boundary in a manner that Indian officials described as “without entering Pakistani airspace,” and fired SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer precision bombs at nine pre-identified terror camps in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and other locations Wikipedia. Concurrently, the Indian Army deployed Israeli-made SkyStriker loitering munitions to suppress air defenses and communication nodes within those camps Wikipedia. The entire series of strikes was completed in roughly 23 minutes with strict rules of engagement to minimize civilian harm Wikipedia.
Course and Execution
- Precision Strikes: The IAF reported that all assigned targets—including training grounds, weapon depots, and command bunkers—were hit with “precision and professionalism,” with minimal risk to nearby civilian areas www.ndtv.com.
- High-Value Eliminations: The DGMO later announced that over 100 militants, including key operatives like Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Malik Rauf, were eliminated under the operation’s canopy News on Air.
- No Indian Losses Reported: India asserted that none of its aircraft were downed, rejecting Pakistani claims of shot-downs; Pakistan claimed five jets were shot down, but these remain unverified Wikipedia.
Pakistani Response
Within hours, Pakistan launched its own drone and missile strikes against several Indian border installations, notably near Amritsar and Jammu AP News. Pakistan’s military reported the interception of multiple incoming missiles by India’s S-400 “Sudarshan” air defense system and claimed to have shot down 12 Indian drones Wikipedia. The cross-border exchanges included artillery shelling along Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors of the LoC AP News.
Ceasefire and Aftermath
On 10 May 2025, after three days of intense skirmishes, U.S. mediation led by President Donald Trump resulted in a ceasefire agreement, halting offensive operations on both sides The GuardianAP News. Both nations claimed success—India hailed Operation Sindoor as a decisive blow to terror infrastructure, while Pakistan celebrated the resilience of its armed forces. Civilians began returning to border villages, though local populations remained apprehensive about future flare-ups AP News.
Significance
Operation Sindoor marked the first 21st-century use of India’s S-400 air defense shield in combat conditions, showcasing enhanced indigenous and imported defense capabilities Wikipedia. Strategically, the operation underscored India’s willingness to conduct precise punitive actions in direct response to cross-border terrorism—shifting from reactive to proactive posture along the Pakistan frontier Reuters. The rapid international push for de-escalation highlighted global concern over a potential nuclear confrontation.
Operation Sindoor will be remembered as a meticulously planned, time-bound military operation that balanced tactical efficacy with strategic restraint, altering the Indo-Pakistani security calculus and leaving an indelible impact on the region’s geopolitical landscape.