India Launches Operation Sindoor in Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack
By DesiMedia Team | May 07, 2025 |
Pakistan Responds with Retaliatory Measures Amid International Concern
On May 7, 2025, India initiated "Operation Sindoor," a series of air and missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, predominantly Hindu tourists. India attributed the attack to the Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and accused Pakistan of providing support to such groups.
The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs during the 23-minute operation. Targets included alleged terrorist infrastructure in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. India claimed the strikes were precise and aimed solely at terrorist facilities, avoiding Pakistani military installations. However, Pakistani officials reported civilian casualties, including women and children, and damage to structures such as the Bilal mosque in Muzaffarabad and an educational complex in Muridke.
Pakistan Responds with Retaliatory Measures Amid International Concern
In response to India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan condemned the strikes as a "blatant act of war" and vowed to retaliate. Pakistani forces claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, including advanced Rafale aircraft, and launched artillery attacks into Indian-administered Kashmir, causing further casualties and destruction. The Pakistani government reported at least 31 civilian deaths and numerous injuries resulting from the Indian strikes.
The escalation has drawn international attention, with global leaders urging both nations to exercise restraint. The United Nations Secretary-General called for immediate de-escalation, emphasizing the risks of a broader conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United States, China, and other countries have expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting the potential for regional instability and the importance of diplomatic engagement to resolve the crisis.